For the second consecutive year, discussions surrounding Max Verstappen`s future, specifically whether he will remain with Red Bull, became a significant talking point during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend.
Last March, the Dutch driver`s position at the team seemed uncertain amid considerable internal turmoil and disagreements within Red Bull`s leadership and Verstappen`s own management. That challenging period eventually subsided, and Verstappen went on to secure his fourth consecutive drivers` championship, which temporarily quieted the noise regarding his long-term plans.
Despite Verstappen being officially contracted to Red Bull through the end of 2028, speculation persists. This is because his current agreement contains specific exit clauses.
One such clause that reportedly could have facilitated his departure last year was linked to the potential exit of Red Bull`s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko. According to reports, if Marko left the team, Verstappen would also have the option to depart.
This year, the renewed speculation is fueled by Red Bull`s somewhat inconsistent performance at the start of the season. Many, including Marko himself, believe that the sport`s leading driver will not tolerate a car that doesn`t consistently allow him to challenge for further championships for an extended period.
A more standard clause in his contract is understood to allow Verstappen the possibility of breaking the contract at the end of the season if he falls outside the top three positions in the Drivers` Championship standings by the summer break.
The likelihood of this particular scenario playing out has seen dramatic shifts from week to week, and even session to session, during the initial five rounds of the season. Verstappen has often expressed frustration while struggling in practice before demonstrating dominant form in qualifying and races.
Following Red Bull`s weakest performance of the season in Bahrain, where Verstappen finished sixth just one week after a surprising victory over the leading McLarens in Japan, Marko stated he had “great concern” about the 27-year-old`s future with the team.
While Verstappen`s pole position and second-place finish in Jeddah should have eased those concerns, consolidating his third spot in the drivers` standings, several comments made throughout the weekend added intriguing new dimensions to the overall picture surrounding his future.
Other Potential Options for Verstappen
Mercedes Haven`t Had Conversation with Verstappen, Says Wolff
When Red Bull was experiencing significant off-track instability at this time last year, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff openly courted Verstappen as he sought a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who was set to move to Ferrari.
Wolff eventually admitted his attempt to sign Verstappen for 2025 was unsuccessful, with Mercedes partnering young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli alongside George Russell. However, Wolff hinted that he might revisit his pursuit in the future.
The recent tensions at Red Bull, combined with the fact that neither Russell nor Antonelli currently have contracts extending beyond the end of this season, have led many to believe that Mercedes is quietly renewing its efforts to recruit Verstappen.
While Mercedes has largely struggled for competitiveness under the current regulations introduced in 2022, many expect them to start strongly next year with the introduction of new engine and chassis designs.
This potential for future performance makes Mercedes a credible contender to sign Verstappen, although Wolff is publicly choosing not to confirm their interest at this time.
Speaking in Jeddah, he stated that Mercedes “haven`t had a conversation” with Verstappen and reiterated his previous comment about not “flirting outside if I`m happy in the relationship,” referring to his satisfaction with the current driver lineup.
Despite Wolff`s public stance, few within the paddock believe he would hesitate to make a move if the opportunity to sign Verstappen presented itself.
Would Alonso Step Aside at Aston Martin?
Aston Martin is another team frequently linked with Verstappen. Reports in the Italian media last week suggested the Silverstone-based squad is prepared to offer him a highly lucrative three-year deal worth £226 million.
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll is fiercely determined to transform his team into a championship-winning contender. He has already put key elements in place, including the construction of a state-of-the-art factory and the recruitment of Adrian Newey, Verstappen`s former colleague at Red Bull, as managing technical partner.
The main complication for Aston Martin is that they currently have two drivers already contracted for the 2026 season: Fernando Alonso and the owner`s son, Lance Stroll.
It is widely assumed that Lance Stroll will remain with the team as long as his father is in charge. Therefore, bringing Verstappen in for 2026 would likely necessitate the end of the 43-year-old Fernando Alonso`s Formula 1 career.
When asked in Saudi Arabia whether he saw Verstappen as a threat to his seat in 2026, Alonso replied, “I don`t think so, as I have a contract for next year.”
Alonso later added that after experiencing Aston Martin`s first car designed by Newey in 2026, he would be open to transitioning into a different role within the team to potentially accommodate Verstappen`s arrival.
During the team principals` press conference in Jeddah, Aston Martin chief Andy Cowell chose to emphasize the team`s existing contracted drivers for 2026 rather than directly addressing questions about Verstappen.
Cowell stated, “We are incredibly fortunate to have two experienced drivers signed for the next two years. This allows me to concentrate on improving the team operations and the craft of building a fast race car.”
Could Verstappen Take a Sabbatical?
Paddock rumors also suggest that if Verstappen were to terminate his Red Bull contract early, he might consider taking a sabbatical in 2026. This would allow him to evaluate the competitive landscape before deciding on the best option for 2027 and beyond.
While it is difficult to imagine a driver at the peak of his powers stepping away for a year, Verstappen has frequently commented on the demanding nature of the F1 schedule and how much he values time spent away from racing with his family and friends.
Notably, if Verstappen were to pursue this path, Ferrari could become another potential option, especially since Lewis Hamilton`s contract might conclude at the end of 2026.
Verstappen has previously described Ferrari as “an amazing team to race for” but qualified this by stating his primary focus is always to be in the most competitive car.
Alternatively, he could choose to exit his current Red Bull contract and then renegotiate a new deal with them for a salary potentially exceeding his reported current earnings of £50 million annually.
Taking this approach would also allow Verstappen to sign a shorter contract with Red Bull, perhaps just for 2026 instead of extending to 2028, thus maintaining flexibility regarding his options for 2027.
`A Lot of People Talking About It, Except Me!`
When questioned about the situation in Jeddah, Verstappen was clearly unwilling to generate headlines.
Responding to inquiries about the speculation surrounding his future, Verstappen remarked, “Many people are discussing it, except me!”
He added, “I just want to concentrate on my car and work with the team members. That`s currently my sole focus in F1. I am very relaxed.”
Ultimately, if Red Bull consistently delivers the level of performance seen in Saudi Arabia, the speculation will likely subside as Verstappen will be fully focused on competing for a potential fifth consecutive title.
Nevertheless, the clear indication that both Mercedes and Aston Martin are not dismissing the possibility of signing Verstappen for next season is revealing, suggesting they maintain some optimism about securing him.
It is reasonable to assume that if Red Bull`s performance remains inconsistent, the entire paddock will be closely watching Verstappen`s position in the drivers` championship over the next couple of months.
