Max Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028 but has performance clauses which could allow him to leave if they struggle to compete for F1 titles in future seasons
A prominent Dutch racing driver believes it is “not inconceivable” that Max Verstappen could walk away from Red Bull for a Formula 1 rival.
There has been plenty of speculation about the future of the 27-year-old in recent months. He has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 and recently said it may be his last deal in F1, as he plans to retire younger than many others in his position.
But Verstappen also hasn’t entirely ruled out the idea of representing a team other than Red Bull. And Mercedes have been the ones most prominent in their approach with Toto Wolff keen to lure him away from his team’s F1 rivals if the opportunity arises.
Dutch driver Jeroen Bleekemolen thinks his compatriot could be tempted to leave if Red Bull fall out of championship contention. “If it doesn’t work out – and he won’t end up driving at the back – then I can just see that happening, yes. He doesn’t feel like it then,” he told RacingNews365.
“There will be money enough to buy off any contracts. And Christian Horner has also already indicated that if someone really does not want to come out for his team, he cannot force them to stay. And he’s right about that too, it won’t make the team better.”
While Wolff has been the most overt in his approach, there are others on the F1 grid who would love to secure Verstappen’s signature. One of them is Lawrence Stroll, who has already convinced Adrian Newey to join his Aston Martin project and would love to put the triple F1 champion in one of the design guru’s cars.
Despite being 43, Fernando Alonso is still going strong and has a contract until 2026, while the other driver is the owner’s son Lance Stroll. That suggests there won’t be an opening at the Silverstone-based squad any time soon, but Bleekemolen can see a way that it could be made to work.
He explained: “I think he will then join Aston Martin, albeit after a six-month sabbatical, or so maybe during the season still. That is absolutely not inconceivable either. Lawrence wants him very badly.
“Alonso will step out the moment he has to. According to his contract, he is paid well for that by Aston Martin and he doesn’t have an eternal shelf life, either. He will do Le Mans anyway in 2026 with the Valkyrie project, maybe then together with Max.”
Young Lance has his critics but Bleekemolen believes he “also deserves his place in F1” and added: “He is actually not doing too badly and Aston Martin, in all its guises the team has always been set up by father Stroll, especially for his son. The Stroll family struck a blow when they contracted Alonso, but the Stroll family will certainly also strike a big blow if they can attract Verstappen.”
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