Speculation over the future of Max Verstappen at Red Bull has intensified yet again after further team struggles at Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix, and should the Dutchman leave the team where he’s won all four of his world titles, he has plenty of F1 options available.
The Dutchman maximised his package to finish sixth, passing Alpine’s Pierre Gasly on the final lap of the race. Reports afterwards suggested an angry confrontation between his manager Raymond Vermeulen and Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko as internal strains at the Milton Keynes-based outfit again showed.
So with doubts over Red Bull‘s progress with a number of key engineering departures and the unknown of its own power units being used from 2026, what F1 options does Verstappen have if he triggers an early exit from his contract.
Mercedes
Mercedes seemed the most likely landing spot for Verstappen given the German manufacturer’s open pursuit of the four-time world champion last season.
Team principal Toto Wolff was honest in his approach for Verstappen‘s services in the wake of Lewis Hamilton‘s departure to Ferrari, before settling for rookie Kimi Antonelli.
But with the Italian impressing in his first four races and new team leader George Russell taking three podiums in that time, the door seems to be closing.
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It is reported that Russell will be given a new contract for his efforts and, with the histrionics between him and Verstappen last season, it seems highly unlikely the duo would ever work together – even if Antonelli’s form dropped off alamingly for the rest of the year.
Mercedes looks like a closed avenue.
Aston Martin
There are plenty of positives for Verstappen when looking at a switch to Aston Martin should he take up that option: A brand new state of the art factory with an updated wind tunnel, a high-class engineering team including former Red Bull technical guru Adrian Newey and the arrival of Honda as a works power unit supplier for the new technical regulations.
Put simply, Aston will have all the ingredients to succeed that Red Bull has had during Verstappen‘s dominance, which would be an enticing proposition. With Lawrence Stroll at the helm, the team could also afford the Dutchman.
But a huge concern will be the Silverstone-based outfit’s lack of form at the start of the new season – points for Lance Stroll in two of the opening four races rather masks the issues faced by the Canadian and teammate Fernando Alonso. It would be interesting to see which of the two would step aside if Verstappen was to make the move.
McLaren
The best team in F1 at the moment with arguably the best driver line-up on the grid, McLaren would be one of the more enticing F1 options for Verstappen.
The team would use the Mercedes power unit – rumoured to be the best of the new bunch for next season – and would hope to continue its car building ascendency into the new era to keep it at the top of the pile.
But where would Verstappen fit with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris settled within the team? He would likely need one of them to leave at the end of the year or for Red Bull to initiate a swap deal. It’s highly unlikely, but McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown is not averse to the right deal…
Off the grid entirely?
Verstappen has been open in his likelihood to retire from F1 early, though this was expected from 2028 onwards when his current Red Bull contract ends.
He is often unhappy with how the sport is regulated and with the FIA’s recent clampdown of what feels like everything, that could prompt Verstappen to leave.
Le Mans would be an enticing option – especially with the chance to potentially race with his father Jos and with his Verstappen.com team running in the GT World Challenge, a GT entry would make complete sense. Hypercar outfits would no doubt battle for his services as well.
Verstappen is also about to become a father for the first time – though he has always shown his caring side for step-daughter Penelope. Whether that would add another perspective for his career is to be seen, but it wouldn’t be the biggest shock to see him take a step away.
