Max Verstappen is now ‘waiting in the wings’ to replace F1 rival despite confirming Red Bull future

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Red Bull may have survived the threat of Max Verstappen leaving to join Mercedes in 2026, yet a move to a different F1 team is now ‘attractive’ to the four-time champion.

The Silver Arrows left George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the lurch in 2025, as team boss Toto Wolff held out to see if Verstappen could quit Red Bull to join Mercedes. But Wolff noted at the Dutch Grand Prix that Mercedes will be “continuing” with Russell and Antonelli.

Russell and rookie Antonelli are so far yet to sign new contracts for the 2026 F1 season, with the pair both out of contract at the end of this term. Yet Wolff cannot replace either with his top target, after Verstappen confirmed “I’m staying” at Red Bull in 2026 at the Hungarian GP.

Verstappen must honour his contract with Red Bull through 2028 for at least one more year, as the 27-year-old’s release clause is not available. The Dutchman had to be outside the top three in the 2025 F1 drivers’ championship at the summer break to be able to quit Red Bull.

Max Verstappen is ‘waiting’ to replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in 2027

Wolff held talks with Verstappen’s manager about a switch to Mercedes, in case the 65-time Grand Prix winner could have left Red Bull. Jos Verstappen admits he and Max had “a lot” of talks about Ferrari, too, despite Lewis Hamilton only joining Charles Leclerc in red this term.

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

Now, F1-Insider even reports that ‘anything seems possible’, as Verstappen is ‘waiting in the wings’ to replace Hamilton at Ferrari in 2027. The Scuderia signed the seven-time champion on an initial two-year deal from 2025, but the Briton’s switch to Maranello has not paid off.

While Mercedes boss Wolff courted Verstappen for months, a move to Ferrari is ‘attractive’ for the Red Bull driver as he waits to learn if his current team will be competitive under F1’s 2026 regulations. Red Bull are designing their own engine for the first time for next season.

If Red Bull’s 2026 F1 rules engine struggles as expected, it might leave them at risk of seeing the 44-time polesitter leave the Milton Keynes natives two years early. Verstappen can leave Red Bull after the 2026 F1 season if he is outside the top two in the standings next summer.

Ferrari will be interested in signing Max Verstappen if Lewis Hamilton retires after 2026

Red Bull will be delighted to know that Verstappen will not be joining Mercedes for 2026, as the Dutchman is vital to their efforts. Yet him staying in Milton Keynes next year may only be delaying the inevitable, should Red Bull fail to provide him with a winning package next year.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

It has also been suggested that Ferrari will definitely be interested in Verstappen if Hamilton retires when his contract expires after the 2026 F1 season. The Briton’s contract includes an option to stay for 2027, but his move to Maranello in 2025 has so far proven to be a disaster.

Hamilton crashed out of the Dutch GP on Sunday to record his first Grand Prix retirement as a Ferrari driver. He has also now failed to score a point in back-to-back rounds after finishing the Hungarian GP down in P12, where Hamilton suggested Ferrari “need to change driver”.