Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has one of the longest contracts in Formula 1. And yet, uncertainty persists over his Red Bull future.
Verstappen’s deal runs until 2028, just like McLaren driver Lando Norris after the Briton signed an extension over the winter. Only Charles Leclerc, pledged to Ferrari until 2029, has made a longer commitment.
On the surface, the Dutchman has little reason to leave Red Bull. They’ve provided him with championship-winning cars in each of the last three seasons, including the most dominant machinery in F1 history last year.
Verstappen looks on course to comfortably win the 2024 title too after ominous victories in three of the first four races. The expectation is that Red Bull will also remain the team to beat in 2025.
Christian Horner and co. believe Verstappen will honour his deal, but the 26-year-old may still have some exit routes up his sleeve if he needs them. Mercedes are desperate to sign him as they prepare to lose Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.
When Max Verstappen could quit Red Bull according to latest ‘chatter’
According to journalist Nate Saunders, speaking on ESPN’s Unlapped podcast, Verstappen may have the option to leave Red Bull prior to the 2026 season. That’s based on the latest ‘chatter in the paddock’.
The Bulls are building their own powertrain, albeit with Ford badges, as previous partners Honda begin an exclusive deal with Aston Martin. And there are murmurs that it won’t quite be at the level of their competitors.
F1 will overhaul its regulations for 2026, making fundamental changes to both the engine and the chassis. That could shake-up the pecking order at the front of the grid.
If Carlos Sainz, the victim of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, catches wind of Verstappen’s concerns, then he may be more inclined to accept any offer from Red Bull. While he may not be able to beat the Dutchman in 2025, he could take ownership of the team following his exit.
Saunders said: “This is something I’m going to tease, and maybe this will come back to benefit me in a year or two. There is a rumour in the paddock, or there is chatter in the paddock, that Max Verstappen might still look to get out of his contract in 2026 at the beginning of that regulation change.
“Honda’s going off to Aston, Red Bull are doing their own engines at that point. If he believes the chatter that the engine’s not as good, if you’re Carlos Sainz, that is the one moment that you do want to sign a contract with Red Bull. Let’s say it’s a three-year deal, Max leaves after year one. It doesn’t matter if Max obliterated you in year one.”
Will Max Verstappen join Mercedes?
The recent ‘chatter’ is bound to be music to the ears of Toto Wolff. Wolff has been throwing every possible incentive at Verstappen, financial or otherwise.
The Mercedes hierarchy have already signed off on a contract that would see the three-time world champion ‘considerably’ out-earn his predecessor. And after he retires, he would still rake in the cash from an ambassador deal, something Hamilton unsuccessfully requested.
Wolff has also looked into signing Red Bull’s chief engineer Pierre Wache in the hope of luring Verstappen. He’s even told him that he can bring Helmut Marko with him if that’s what it takes.
Moving to Mercedes at this stage would require a major leap of faith. Third in 2022 and runner-up last year, they’ve now fallen to fourth in the constructors’ standings.
But the question is whether Verstappen is willing to accept a year of potential pain in 2025 on the basis that Mercedes may be best placed to capitalise on the new rules. He will be keenly aware of what happened in 2014.
Back then, the Silver Arrows stole a march on their rivals upon the introduction of turbo/hybrid V6 engines, winning eight straight constructors’ titles. Verstappen and Red Bull spent years playing catch-up, and he’ll be wary of a possible repeat.
The post ‘I’m going to tease’: Journalist shares ‘chatter in the paddock’ around Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
