Max Verstappen’s future is locked in until at least the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season. But make no mistake: he’s already watching, waiting, and weighing his next move.
Four-time Formula 1 World Champion, Verstappen, has wisely decided to bide his time amidst the ongoing chaos at Red Bull and will see how the land lies by the end of next season.
That brings a close to the courtship from Mercedes and Aston Martin, both of whom had quietly hoped to prise Verstappen away as Red Bull unravels in the wake of Christian Horner walking the plank. They’ll have to wait, if Verstappen is even interested in them by then.
From now until the final race of 2026, Verstappen will race whatever Red Bull gives him. Whether Red Bull/Ford delivers a competitive power unit or not, whether the car is a wheelbarrow or not, Verstappen has made peace with the fact that no exit door will open before then.
Whispers that Mercedes have the best power unit for 2026 have been batted away by Toto Wolff himself. The reality is, no one knows who’s done their homework properly.
Red Bull Powertrains/Ford might surprise. Aston Martin Honda, with Newey joining and Lawrence Stroll's deep pockets, could be the wildcard. Ferrari always promises a comeback. McLaren’s resurgence is real. And Mercedes, for all their struggles, have shown flickers of form.
Verstappen can wait to see how the Formula 1 pecking order pans out in 2026
And that’s exactly what Verstappen will be observing. Not just who has the fastest car, but who has built the team environment that fits him best when 2026 is underway.
Barring a full-blown civil war between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, McLaren isn’t an option for Verstappen. The pairing is working. Zak Brown and Andrea Stella have it under control. There’s harmony, performance, and long-term contracts. Verstappen would only enter that picture if one of the two detonates it, and that looks unlikely.
Fernando Alonso is still dragging the green car to places it doesn’t deserve, but he cannot do it forever. If Aston Martin are serious about becoming F1 title contenders in 2026 or 2027, they’ll need a successor. It won’t be Lance Stroll. And when it comes to choosing between Verstappen and the boss’s son, the question answers itself.
If the 2026 Aston Martin is a winner, expect Alonso to re-up and go out swinging. If it’s not, Verstappen becomes the natural target. Add Honda’s return. Add Newey. Add more money than even Red Bull or Mercedes will shudder to match.
Is there still bad blood with Mercedes?
For the immediate future, Wolff has put all his chips on George Russell. That means Kimi Antonelli either outpaces Russell before the end of 2025 or becomes the sacrificial lamb. If Verstappen becomes available, Mercedes should have no problem cutting ties with the teenager despite all the effort and PR investment.
But Verstappen remembers. He does not forget. Wolff snubbing him and Jos in the early days may still be an emotional factor, where the wounds are deep. If that is the case, in a sport where relationships matter, Mercedes may have played themselves out of contention before the game even began.
Ferrari’s play was classic: lure a World Champion, let go of the loyal Sainz, and bank on Lewis Hamilton to deliver silverware in Red. On paper, it made sense. The most storied team and the sport’s most decorated driver. But the honeymoon is over.
Hamilton looks lost. He is struggling on all fronts, on track, in the paddock, and in adapting to Ferrari’s chaotic inner workings. Even if the car improves, it’s hard to see him beating Charles Leclerc. And if he can’t, what’s the point?
Ferrari should sign a first option deal with Verstappen
Ferrari will need to replace him, whether it’s for 2026, after 2027 or at the end of 2028. And that’s where Verstappen enters the picture. If by then the podiums are Red, and the car is a title contender, Ferrari becomes the obvious next step.
And unlike Hamilton, I do not expect Verstappen would adapt to Ferrari. Ferrari would adapt to Verstappen. They would have to learn Dutch, not him Italian! As a matter of principle, those who know know;-)
"Ferrari ha bisogno di un grande pilota" in other words, the Scuderia needs a 'great driver' to lead them. Not just a champion, but a team transformer. Hamilton was expected to be that. He isn’t. Leclerc was groomed to become that. He hasn’t.
Michael Schumacher came in and changed everything. Niki Lauda dragged Ferrari out of its mess with sheer force of will. Alonso and Vettel, two great drivers and two great champions, failed at Ferrari because they tried to go with the flow.
Much is expected of Hamilton to do the same. And while he is obliging, his form is not allowing him to take command. Verstappen would be a different story.
Max holds the keys to the Kingdom
Verstappen knows how he wants to go racing. He can tell the team exactly what he needs, and if they want him to succeed, they’ll build not only the car but the entire squad around his driving.
Like was done for Schumacher. That is not what’s happening for Hamilton at Ferrari right now.
If I were Fred Vasseur or John Elkann, I’d be drawing up a first option contract now, if they have not done so already. Keep it quiet. Be ready. Because if Verstappen decides to ditch Red Bull, there will be a feeding frenzy. And 'my' Ferrari would be the first at the table.
Mercedes may seem like Verstappen’s logical next step, but I doubt he sees it that way. I suspect the old grudge still lingers. Aston Martin will be tempting for sure. But Ferrari will always be the biggest prize if they can offer the performance to match the badge.
Whatever the case, this era's most respected and widely admired driver, Verstappen, has the keys to the kingdom. And he will know exactly when to use them. It wasn't now.
Would Max Verstappen be the solution for Ferrari?
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