(Motorsport-Total.com) – Will he stay or will he go? Max Verstappen is currently the key figure in the Formula 1 driver market for 2027. Although the Dutchman is officially under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, his contract contains clauses that allow him to leave the team early under certain conditions.
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“Max will certainly want to ensure by mid-season that they have these rules and the car under control,” explains expert Martin Brundle on Sky. Meaning: If Red Bull continues to lag behind until summer, the four-time world champion could look elsewhere for 2027.
For the first time since 2018, Verstappen started a new Formula 1 season this year without a podium finish in the first three races. Besides Red Bull’s sporting problems, some observers also see the personnel situation at the Bulls as another indication of a possible Verstappen departure.
At the end of 2025, the Dutchman already lost a close confidant with Helmut Marko, and by the end of 2027, his long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will also leave the team for McLaren. Red Bull is currently undergoing a restructuring – as a result of which Verstappen might also seek a new challenge.
According to Ralf Schumacher, there are “two possibilities” for the Dutchman’s future. “Either Max Verstappen wants to quit – which I don’t assume – or everything is being prepared for him to go to a team where there is a better future for him,” said the expert in the podcast Backstage Boxengasse.
He does not believe Verstappen will stay at Red Bull, because the Bulls will need “some time” for a rebuild, “and Max is very impatient,” Schumacher said, predicting it will take “at least” two to three years before Red Bull returns to an absolute top level.
Mercedes rejection of Verstappen
The exciting question is therefore where Verstappen might go. In the past, there have been repeated speculations about a move to Mercedes. Toto Wolff has been a fan of the Dutchman for years and is also friends with the Verstappen family.
However, the Austrian has (at least publicly) already rejected this. About a month ago, he called such speculations “stupid rumors” to oe24 and made it clear: “We have two drivers with whom we have long-term, multi-year contracts.”
The contract durations of current Formula 1 drivers
Therefore, there is absolutely no reason “to even think about other drivers,” said Wolff. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell currently occupy the first two places in the drivers’ championship, so on paper there is indeed no reason to part ways with either of them.
However, the contract situation of the two Mercedes drivers is somewhat unclear. Although Wolff speaks of “multi-year” contracts, Mercedes has never officially disclosed how long Antonelli and Russell have signed for.
McLaren also closes the door
McLaren boss Zak Brown recently fueled the rumors again when he said with a grin about Verstappen in an interview on Sky: “Where could he go? If I had to bet, I would say Mercedes.”
However, this could have been a deliberate statement by Brown to stir some unrest at Mercedes – and at the same time to divert attention from his own team. Because there has also been increasing speculation recently about a Verstappen move to McLaren.
The idea is that he would go to Woking together with race engineer Lambiase. But Brown makes it clear in this context: “From McLaren’s point of view, I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar. We have long-term agreements with both. And I think it is the best driver pairing on and off the track.”
“So we have no intention of replacing one of our two superstars. If one were to leave, Max would of course be a huge talent. But I don’t expect that,” said Brown, whose statements sound very similar to those of Mercedes team boss Wolff.
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Red Bull hopes Verstappen stays
Meanwhile, Ralf Schumacher can “hardly imagine” that Mercedes would kick out one of their current drivers for Verstappen. “Then Ferrari would rather be on the list, who will also need someone at some point because Lewis Hamilton probably won’t drive forever,” said the expert.
While all other top teams are linked with Verstappen, Red Bull emphasizes that they themselves have it in their hands to keep the Dutchman. Laurent Mekies explains to Sky: “We are aware that it mainly depends on providing him with a car he can push.”
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“That doesn’t mean it will be fast enough for the top spots, but it means he can start to deliver his full performance, and we can begin to advance the development of this car,” said the team principal.
“And I am firmly convinced that although the problems in Miami are not yet solved, the team will, just like last year, get to the bottom of the causes that are currently limiting us, and that we will soon see Max smiling more and more often,” hopes the team principal.
Verstappen retirement would be “nonsense”
Hardly anyone believes that Verstappen will completely retire from Formula 1. Although the 28-year-old has publicly criticized the new regulations in the top class several times, for example Ralf Schumacher says Verstappen is still “much too young” to retire.
“That would be nonsense,” said the expert, and team principal Mekies also emphasizes: “The Max we see is a fully committed Max. He wants a fast car and helps the team to build a fast car.” He cannot see any waning motivation.
“He puts all his energy into this. He is fully dedicated to this sport,” he makes clear and emphasizes: “We have made a step forward regarding the rules in Miami.” Now we have to see with regard to the changes “whether it will be enough or not.”
Red Bull would be the safest option for Verstappen
If Verstappen actually stays in Formula 1, staying at Red Bull would also be the most obvious option. The team has been built around him in recent years, and Sebastian Vettel’s fate could be a warning example for the Dutchman.
The German won four consecutive world titles with the Bulls between 2010 and 2013 – like Verstappen later. In 2015, he moved to Ferrari but never became world champion again. Moreover, a team change would inevitably mean joining a team with an already established top driver.
Red Bull departures in recent years
At Mercedes, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are two drivers who have been supported by the brand with the star since their junior days. At McLaren, Lando Norris also comes from the team’s own junior program, and Oscar Piastri is already in his fourth season with the team this year.
However, the example of Lewis Hamilton last year showed that this does not have to be an obstacle. The record world champion dared to switch to Ferrari in 2025, even though Charles Leclerc, also a former junior, had been established there for years.
If Verstappen decides to switch – wherever – it would definitely bring a completely new dynamic to the driver market. And if the four-time world champion knocks on the doors of Mercedes or McLaren, it will be exciting to see how much the recent statements by Toto Wolff and Zak Brown are really worth then…
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