When Max Verstappen might leave Red Bull as a surprising team talks about signing him
Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull is looking very uncertain, and some surprising teams have already started talking to him.
The four-time world champion has had a tough Formula One season so far, sitting seventh in the Drivers’ Championship after 11 races. Because of this, tensions between him and Red Bull are growing. Verstappen has often complained about power problems and the safety of his car, including after the recent British Grand Prix.
He was on track for his third podium in a row but spun off into the gravel with five laps left, clearly frustrated as he threw his steering wheel and vented his anger over the radio.
With his frustration at a high point, many people are wondering what’s next for him. His contract with Red Bull has several exit options, and one of these has now come into play since he can’t make it into the top two before the summer break. This means he could leave Red Bull two years early and might even join McLaren in a big swap deal involving Oscar Piastri.
Piastri, however, seems happy where he is. “For me, it doesn’t mean much,” he said last weekend about the rumours. “I’ve been told the team is happy with me, and I trust them. I have a contract, so I’m just focused on building on my success.”
While Piastri has ruled out leaving, McLaren is reportedly in serious talks with Verstappen. He’s also caught the interest of other top teams, like Mercedes and Ferrari. According to BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson, Verstappen’s management is talking with all the big teams. They say other teams would find it hard to say no if Verstappen wanted to join them. The key time for his exit clause is said to be in October.
Verstappen has looked very frustrated for months and has even thought about retiring more than once. Because of this, 2009 world champion Jenson Button has advised him to be “selfish” when making this important choice.
Button said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, “A lot of people he’s worked with and won championships with have left the team. It must feel lonely for him, with new people all around.”
He added, “I think he’ll be looking elsewhere. If I were his management, the best place for him would be Mercedes, alongside either Kimi or George, whoever they choose to keep.”
Button also talked about the idea of Verstappen joining Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, which could create strong competition with McLaren to sign him.