the end of 2028, but his contract includes various ways to get out
of the deal early. This possibility is created by the
much-discussed performance-related exit clauses, which give the
four-time champion the option to terminate his contract before it
expires in over two years’ time. Red Bull’s form in 2026 has been
lacking. Verstappen managed to secure just one podium finish in
seven races. Verstapppen demands more from his team, something his
manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has made clear on multiple occasions.
Max is loyal, but his loyalty has its limits. In theory, Verstappen
could leave, but how many serious options does he have? Which team
can offer him a solid future, both on the track and financially?
Ferrari: Financially strong, but…. Ferrari always attracts
attention due to its history and vast financial resources, but is
currently probably the least realistic option for Verstappen. The
current driver line-up leaves no room. Charles Leclerc has extended
his contract and is considered the face of Ferrari for the coming
years. Lewis Hamilton seems reborn this season and has a contract
with an option for at least one more season. The Brit has made
every hint that he will not be hanging up his racing boots anytime
soon. That makes a scenario in which Verstappen moves to Maranello
unlikely as Ferrari has no reason to dismantle its current lineup.
McLaren: The most spectacular option Earlier this week, British
media reported that McLaren would be willing to offer Verstappen a
salary of £80 million per season, which would immediately rank
among the largest contracts in the history of the sport. In that
scenario, Oscar Piastri would make the move to Red Bull, especially
since his manager, Mark Webber, is said to have become somewhat
less enthusiastic about McLaren. This would create an opening at
McLaren alongside Lando Norris. Verstappen would also be reunited
with long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase at the British
team, with GP due to make the switch in 2028. From a sporting
perspective, McLaren’s appeal is evident. The team is the double
reigning champion, and although Mercedes and Ferrari currently have
the upper hand in the order, the team is stable, and the MCL40
demonstrates that the foundation for the coming years has been well
laid. Whether the team is truly willing to take such a financial
risk, and whether a Verstappen/Norris duo is viable in practice,
remains a big unknown. Mercedes: Ambition vs internal dilemma
Mercedes has long been considered a serious option, especially in
light of the new engine regulations, under which the racing team
and engine supplier have got off to a very strong start. Yet this
scenario also faces two significant obstacles. The first obstacle
is internal. Kimi Antonelli has emerged as an important piece for
the future of the team. Mercedes has invested in his development
for years and positions the 19-year-old Italian as the future of
the racing team. Driving alongside him is George Russell, who, like
Antonelli, was nurtured through Mercedes’ junior programme.
Verstappen’s arrival would completely upend those internal
dynamics. The Dutchman has systematically outshone his team-mates
in the past. Drivers like Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson saw their
reputations suffer significant damage when compared to Verstappen.
Mercedes will seriously consider whether it is wise to manoeuvre
Antonelli, its most cherished talent, into that same position. The
second obstacle is financial. Verstappen’s salary demands are of a
magnitude that would disrupt the internal balance of virtually any
team. Whether Mercedes is willing and able to foot that bill is far
from a given. In addition, Verstappen wants a lot of freedom:
minimal PR obligations, plenty of room to race in GT3s, and who
knows, maybe even Le Mans. Can Mercedes accommodate that? And does
Verstappen always fit the “well-behaved” image of the German
manufacturer? Red Bull: The most familiar, yet most uncertain
path The most obvious choice is also the most complicated. Red Bull
is facing a fundamental transition: for the first time, it has
built its own power unit. That’s an ambitious project, but it also
carries risks that Verstappen can assess better than anyone. The
technical organisation has undergone drastic changes recently. A
number of prominent figures have left the team, and Red Bull hasn’t
always been able to replace them with equally high-profile talent.
Is the team strong enough to compete for the title in the coming
years? Verstappen will also have expectations regarding the
technical (management) structure. But the other side of the coin is
also clear. Verstappen enjoys an exceptional position at Red Bull,
both financially and personally. He is given leeway for his
activities outside of Formula 1, including his passion for
endurance racing. That kind of freedom is by no means a given at
every team. Rumours in the paddock suggest that Red Bull is
exploring whether the performance-related exit clauses in
Verstappen’s contract can be bought out, so that both parties can
commit to each other for a longer period. Everyone knows that this
step is almost necessary for Red Bull. Without Verstappen, the
team risks falling back into the lower mid-pack, which not only has
sporting consequences but also affects its appeal to sponsors and
staff. Aston Martin and the rest The other teams are essentially
irrelevant in this story. Financially, Verstappen’s salary demands
are unattainable for most teams, while the racing prospects are
equally unappealing. For a long time, Aston Martin was an exception
to that rule. The new factory, the state-of-the-art wind tunnel,
and the arrival of Adrian Newey as team principal painted an
ambitious picture of the future. The team dared to secretly dream
of having a great champion in its ranks. However, the AMR26 shows
that the leap to the very top is still a long way off. As long as
Aston Martin operates closer to the lower midfield than to the
podium, it remains an unrealistic destination for a four-time world
champion. The poker game thus narrows down to four names: Red Bull,
Mercedes, McLaren, and, to a lesser extent, Ferrari. When the cards
are finally laid on the table depends on the next moves in the
poker game surrounding Verstappen.