đź“· Crash
Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, has been at the center of rumors about possibly leaving his team, Red Bull Racing. With Red Bull facing challenges in the 2025 season, many are wondering if the Dutch driver might join another team like Mercedes or Aston Martin. Here's a look at what Verstappen has said about these rumors and what might influence his future.
Red Bull's Tough Season
The 2025 season has not been easy for Red Bull. Their car, the RB21, has struggled with balance and speed, making it hard to compete with teams like McLaren. Verstappen, who won the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this season, could only finish sixth in Bahrain, showing the team's struggles. He has openly shared his frustration, saying the car feels "slow" and is "hard to predict through corners." These issues have led to speculation that Verstappen might look for a team with a faster car.
đź“· F1
Verstappen's Reaction to the Rumors
Despite the challenges, Verstappen has made it clear he’s not planning to leave Red Bull anytime soon. During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, when asked by commentator David Croft if he was thinking of leaving, Verstappen replied, “No, focus on commentating, I’ll focus on driving, and then you don’t need to think about any other scenario.” His sharp response shows he’s tired of the constant questions about his future and wants to focus on racing.
Verstappen has also said he’s happy at Red Bull, where he’s been since 2016. He’s loyal to the team that gave him a chance when he was young, saying in 2024, “I am very happy where I am at. I am loyal to the team. I appreciate them picking me out of F3, giving me an F1 seat.” He’s under contract until 2028, which gives him stability, but there are clauses that could let him leave if Red Bull’s car isn’t competitive enough.
Why People Think He Might Leave
The rumors about Verstappen leaving started because of Red Bull’s struggles and some internal team issues. Last year, there were tensions between team principal Christian Horner and Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, who said the team could “explode” if things didn’t change. Key people like designer Adrian Newey also left Red Bull for Aston Martin, raising questions about the team’s future.
Some, like McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown, believe Verstappen might join Mercedes at the end of 2025. Brown thinks Mercedes has a strong team and engine for the new rules coming in 2026. Others, like former driver Juan Pablo Montoya, suggest Aston Martin could make a big offer, especially since Newey is now there. Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko has admitted there’s “great concern” Verstappen could leave if the team doesn’t improve soon.