Max Verstappen's future has returned to the forefront,
despite his contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season. Major teams such as Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Ferrari are closely monitoring his situation. The BBC quoted a source close to the Dutch driver as saying he may consider taking a break in the 2026 season, a move that could pave the way for a move to a new team.
Aston Martin has made a huge offer worth £1 billion (approximately $1.24 billion) to sign Verstappen over five seasons, worth $206 million annually, if he decides to leave Red Bull. Mercedes, meanwhile, has a seat available for the 2026 season, while Aston Martin may dispense with one of its drivers, Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll, to make room for the Dutch star.
In the same context, Sky Sports indicated that Verstappen may choose to withdraw from the 2026 season to monitor the results of the new regulations, which could open the door for him to join Ferrari in 2027, especially since Lewis Hamilton's contract with the Italian team expires at the end of 2026. Verstappen has previously expressed his admiration for Ferrari's history, but he emphasized that his priority in choosing the fastest car has always been.