Max Verstappen joining McLaren could jeopardise Ferrari’s future if they don’t act fast

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Max Verstappen is rumoured to be leaving Red Bull to join McLaren amid frustration with the team, but his move could cost Ferrari the most.

Verstappen was linked to McLaren this past week, as his frustration with Red Bull’s recent decline has reached an all-time high.

With Gianpiero Lambiase set to join McLaren in 2028, there is a real concern that Verstappen could follow his race engineer to the team.

If you were Max Verstappen, would you stay at Red Bull or move on?

Verstappen has been linked with McLaren, but could also retire or take a sabbatical

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There isn’t any concrete information on whether the Dutch driver will actually be joining the team, but the speculation around his future suggests he’s heading out of Red Bull.

But even with them not being involved, Max Verstappen’s decision could result in Ferrari losing their star of the future.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen would risk enduring even more frustration if he leaves Red Bull for McLaren in 2027

Ferrari could lose Oliver Bearman if Max Verstappen leaves Red Bull

According to reports, Red Bull are eyeing Oliver Bearman to replace Max Verstappen if the four-time world champion chooses to leave the team.

As many fans might remember, Bearman is from the Ferrari academy and made his debut with the team in 2024 as their reserve driver, even filling in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Using their partnership with Haas, Ferrari got Bearman a seat with the team in 2025, allowing him to earn some valuable Formula 1 experience before eventually joining the team.

However, Lewis Hamilton’s form with Ferrari has complicated Bearman’s future, with the driver now not having a direct path to the team any time soon.

This is where Red Bull could come in. If they lose Verstappen, they can go after Oliver Bearman and offer him a seat with a top-four team for 2027, something Ferrari cannot do right now.

READ MORE: Ferrari have now removed three drivers from their shortlist to succeed Lewis Hamilton

When will Oliver Bearman replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari?

Or do you think the move won't happen at all?

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Ferrari must convince Oliver Bearman to stay put at Haas

If they don’t get ahead of this matter, Ferrari could lose their future star to their rival over a driver move that has nothing to do with them.

It is imperative that Ferrari officials intervene quickly and try to keep Oliver Bearman at Haas. Their best bet is to convince the driver that a move to Red Bull will be coming too soon in his career.

Furthermore, a jump to Red Bull, a team that looks to be in decline, could leave the young Briton stuck on a team with limited future prospects.

Ferrari must reassure Bearman that he is an integral part of their future, and it is the best place for him to win a world championship in the future.