Whilst everything is going perfectly for Max Verstappen on the track, off the track, it appears that a potential issue could be brewing.
It’s been reported that the reigning World Champion’s long-time personal sponsor, supermarket chain Jumbo, are currently being investigated by the Dutch police.
Jumbo’s CEO and owner Frits van Eerd had his home raided by police last week in what has been described as a “large money laundering investigation”, according to Eindhoven news.
The raid could cause more issues for Verstappen than initially thought, as a report surrounding the matter has detailed that the suspected money laundering took place through online transactions, including through motorsport.
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It’s yet to be seen whether Verstappen will be affected by this shocking revelation; however, Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen has revealed that for the time being they won’t jump to any conclusions.
“Caution is in order here,” he told Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.
“We are waiting for the facts to be on the table. We have been in contact with Jumbo and the management and marketing will continue as usual.”
Whilst Vermeulen explained that the Verstappen camp will remain on the side of “caution”, the Dutchman’s manager did express that the Red Bull driver is sponsored by the supermarket, not the CEO.
“We have agreements with Jumbo, and the supermarket is not part of the investigation. That was clearly stated,” he said.
“Let’s be careful with all kinds of suggestive things and wait for the facts to come out.”
The 24-year-old recently celebrated his fifth consecutive victory of the season at Monza, which was incredibly his first time winning the Italian Grand Prix.
His Monza glory took the Dutchman ever closer to not only the Drivers’ Championship, which he can retain at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, but also to Sebastian Vettel’s and Michael Schumacher’s joint record of 13 victories in a season.
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Verstappen has now won 11 races this season, with six races remaining to potentially match or even eclipse the current record.
The Dutch driver takes a 116-point lead into the upcoming race at Singapore, with Charles Leclerc in need of a miracle to remain in the title fight.
It won’t be too long until Red Bull wrap up the Constructors’ as well, with the Austrian’s boasting a 139-point lead over Ferrari.