How Max Verstappen’s camp reacted to ‘declaration of love’ from Ferrari fans amid 2027 rumours

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Max Verstappen received a surprise reception from Ferrari fans after winning their home race at Monza last weekend.

McLaren were once again expected to lead the pack at the Italian Grand Prix, but the Tifosi were hopeful that their heroes could produce another magical result like Charles Leclerc did in 2024. Ferrari felt they could challenge McLaren, but neither team could match Verstappen.

The Dutchman took pole position from Lando Norris and controlled the field after an early battle for the lead. Verstappen finished over 19 seconds up the road in what was the fastest race in Formula 1 history.

It marked his third win of 2025 and the first for Red Bull under Laurent Mekies. The Frenchman’s new technical approach after Christian Horner’s departure seems to be working wonders, as Verstappen now has a ‘real desire’ to push forward with Red Bull.

This will be music to Mekies’ ears amid speculation surrounding the 27-year-old’s future in Milton Keynes. Verstappen will stay at Red Bull in 2026, but he does have his admirers, including in Maranello.

Ferrari fans’ ‘declaration of love’ at Monza made an ‘impression’ on Max Verstappen’s camp

Verstappen had been in talks with Mercedes over a potential deal, while Aston Martin were also said to be interested. Jos Verstappen shared that his son also spoke with Ferrari, despite recently signing Lewis Hamilton to partner with Leclerc.

Verstappen will not move teams until 2027 at the earliest as he plans to assess the pecking order under the 2026 F1 regulations. There are some concerns surrounding Red Bull’s power unit next season, and the reception from the Ferrari fans at Monza will not help matters.

The Tifosi were heard chanting Verstappen’s name while he stood on the podium, even though he had beaten Ferrari. Journalist Ralf Bach says that they made an ‘impression’ on the Dutchman’s camp.

“I was amazed. I’ve seen other podiums at Monza, Hamilton was booed with his Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel was booed with his Red Bull,” he said via F1-Insider.

“Verstappen was celebrated by the Tifosi. That was a declaration of love. And when I say declaration of love, I mean it.

“That was an exaggerated request: ‘We love our driver, but please drive our red car and [you] will make us world champions’. That’s how it seemed to me, it was crazy.

“And I know one thing, it seemed that way to Verstappen too, and yes, I think it made an impression on the whole Verstappen clan, the way he was celebrated there, even though he had beaten Ferrari.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Could Max Verstappen replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in 2027?

Verstappen is free to leave Red Bull after 2026 if he is not in the top two of the championship. Currently sitting third behind the McLarens, the Milton Keynes outfit have a lot of work to do behind the scenes if they want to keep their star driver.

If he were to become available, Ferrari would ‘definitely’ be interested in Verstappen. The Maranello outfit would have a seat for him in 2027 as Hamilton’s contract expires in 2026, but he does have the option to extend for another year.

The Brit will be depending on the new regulations to provide him with a competitive car, having struggled to adapt to the ground effect machines. However, after Hamilton told Ferrari he should be replaced in Budapest, the chances of him staying beyond 2026 seem unlikely.

Verstappen is ‘waiting in the wings’ to replace Hamilton at Ferrari when he retires. The Maranello outfit would certainly not pass up the opportunity to sign the four-time champion, and it seems the Tifosi would be keen to see him come on board.