F1 | Verstappen’s future between Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin and… retirement: here’s what the Dutchman revealed
Max Verstappen is already thinking about his future, both inside and outside Formula 1. With Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin all looming in the background, the Dutch driver appears to have very clear ideas about what comes next.
The upcoming season is set to be a crucial one for Max Verstappen’s long-term future in Formula 1. The four-time world champion will carefully assess his options, which range from staying put at Red Bull to potential moves involving Ferrari, Mercedes or Aston Martin, with even the possibility of an early retirement from the sport not entirely ruled out. Verstappen will closely evaluate the performance of the new RB22, but also the broader dynamics introduced by the next cycle of technical regulations.
Milton Keynes has effectively become Verstappen’s second home over the years, yet that does not automatically mean it will remain so beyond 2027. The most sought-after driver on the current F1 grid continues to drop subtle hints about his future direction, keeping the paddock guessing.
During last season, Aston Martin initially appeared to be closing in on Max Verstappen, before Mercedes emerged as a serious contender. Well-connected voices within the paddock suggested that the Dutchman was close to committing to Lawrence Stroll’s ambitious project, only for attention to later shift toward Toto Wolff and Mercedes. In the end, however, the Hasselt-born driver opted once again to place his trust in Red Bull.
Given the uncertainties surrounding the new regulations, that decision appeared sensible. It will only take a handful of races for the competitive order to become clear, allowing Max Verstappen to properly weigh up his future options. Virtually the entire grid sits in the background of this decision-making process: alongside the well-known links to Silverstone and Brackley, the possibility of a move to Maranello and Ferrari also remains alive.
In a recent interview with De Telegraaf, Max Verstappen outlined his priorities and openly addressed the crossroads he may soon face.
Verstappen: “I want to stay at Red Bull, but…”
“Will it be a crucial season? Yes, it really will,” Max Verstappen explained. “I have to admit that I’m probably the most relaxed person among those around me, I think. I’ll be fine. Whatever happens, it will be fine. There is also the possibility that I decide to say goodbye to everyone and retire, even before 2029, if I don’t like the new rules. Of course, that is an extremely negative scenario.”
The Dutchman then reiterated where his preference currently lies, while also acknowledging that multiple factors are involved. “My goal is to stay at Red Bull, I’ve always said that. I feel good with the whole team, and I think that’s a really important thing. But there are many things that have to come together; it’s not just about Formula 1,” Verstappen underlined.
Max Verstappen’s latest revelations highlight a driver who is no longer motivated solely by records, but by the quality of the competition and his personal well-being. By openly discussing retirement alongside potential moves to giants like Ferrari or Mercedes, Max Verstappen is putting immense pressure on Red Bull and Ford to deliver a world-class power unit for the 2026 reset. As the 28-year-old enters this “crucial” year, the paddock remains on high alert: if the RB22 fails to meet his expectations, the most dominant driver of the modern era may either trigger a historic transfer or walk away from the sport entirely at the peak of his powers.
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