Max Verstappen has one F1 team at the ‘forefront’ of his mind if Red Bull aren’t ‘absolutely dominant’ in 2026

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Max Verstappen might have decided which Formula 1 team he wants to join if he decides to leave Red Bull at the end of next season.

All eyes are now on the 2026 regulation changes, except for McLaren and their two drivers, who are fighting for the drivers’ championship.

Red Bull made some important progress at Monza, and team principal Laurent Mekies watched on from the pit wall as Max Verstappen took his third victory of the season.

Verstappen took the lead on his car’s setup, with even technical chief Pierre Wache unsure about his suggestions.

The Dutchman won’t extend his run of championship victories to five this year, leading to plenty of speculation about his future.

Mercedes were heavily linked with Verstappen, but several other options have also emerged.

F1 Oversteer understands that Mercedes are doing everything possible to sign Verstappen, including potentially offering George Russell a shorter contract, but they too know that they will have competition for his signature.

Journalist Bianca Garloff has shared how the 27-year-old feels about joining Ferrari and how a seat could open up for him as early as 2027 if things don’t go to plan for Lewis Hamilton.

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

Ferrari at the ‘forefront’ of Max Verstappen’s mind if he decides to leave Red Bull

Garloff was speaking on the F1 Insider YouTube channel after his GT4 debut at the Nordschleife.

Verstappen received an amazing reception from Ferrari’s fans after winning at Monza, and reflecting on this, Garloff said: “Max Verstappen won at Monza, and normally, the fans don’t necessarily cheer for drivers who aren’t Ferrari drivers as much as they did for Max.

“There were already rumours or hints that he had his sights set on Ferrari. He admitted it himself.

“However, Ferrari have to be able to afford him, but he said that would be a big deal.

“And as you said, Eddie Irvine says that Max shouldn’t wait too long, because in his opinion, Lewis Hamilton waited too long until he was past his prime as a racing driver and then simply couldn’t deliver what he needed to deliver in a Ferrari to get Ferrari from second place back to first place.

“I don’t think he’ll wait forever either. So, I don’t think anything will happen next year.

“But I can imagine that if Red Bull aren’t absolutely dominant this year and, well, if the Red Bull saga continues, then I think Max will reconsider what he’s going to do next. And then Ferrari will be at the forefront of his mind.

“Lewis Hamilton’s contract is also likely to expire then. Ferrari never say exactly how long the contracts are for, but there was always talk of him getting a two-year contract, possibly with an option, but that will be removed somehow, or they won’t have to exercise it.

“So I wouldn’t rule out that happening as early as 2027.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Could Lewis Hamilton control Max Verstappen’s potential Ferrari future?

Despite seven years without properly challenging for the drivers’ championship, Charles Leclerc is happy at Ferrari, and the Monegasque driver has a long-term contract with the team.

It means that if Verstappen were to join Ferrari, it would be to replace Hamilton.

Hamilton is on a contract until the end of 2026 and hasn’t had the easiest start to life with the Scuderia.

However, it’s also believed that Hamilton controls a clause in his Ferrari deal that could extend his stay with the team for a further year.

As Garloff suggests, Ferrari likely have mechanisms to buy Hamilton out of his contract if they decide to move for Verstappen and reach an agreement with the four-time world champion.

It would be a serious blow for Hamilton, especially as it would likely bring his F1 career to an end, but Ferrari’s winless streak is getting to the point where team principal Fred Vasseur might have to make some brutal decisions.