Max Verstappen makes his ‘dream’ F1 future clear amid Mercedes and Ferrari links for 2027

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Max Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in the 2026 F1 season, but his release clause keeps rival teams interested in a possible move for the four-time champion in 2027.

The Dutchman is under contract to Red Bull through the 2028 campaign, having agreed to a long-term deal back in March 2022. Yet Verstappen secured a variety of release clauses that could still allow the 27-year-old to move away from Milton Keynes prior to the close of 2028.

Mercedes showed a particularly keen interest in Verstappen’s release clause that could have allowed him to leave Red Bull after the 2025 season. But the 66-time Grand Prix winner had to be below the top three in the F1 drivers’ standings at the summer break, and he was third.

The Austrian-owned squad remain at risk of losing their star driver in a year’s time, however. Verstappen can leave Red Bull after the 2026 season if he is not in the top two in the drivers’ standings at the summer break, which may become the case owing to F1’s 2026 regulations.

Max Verstappen’s ‘dream’ remains to retire from Formula 1 as a Red Bull driver

It is said that Ferrari would be at the forefront of Verstappen’s mind if he studies leaving Red Bull after the 2026 season. The Dutchman is expected to review his future if Red Bull are not at the very front of the order under the 2026 F1 regulations, with winning his only objective.

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

Also, sources have told F1 Oversteer that Mercedes are doing everything to sign Verstappen for the 2027 season, should he become available. The Silver Arrows might only offer George Russell a one-year contract for 2026 to ensure they have a seat free for Verstappen in 2027.

But Verstappen is clear that his “dream” remains to see out his entire F1 career as a Red Bull driver. The 45-time F1 polesitter joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2014, made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2015 and has even driven for Red Bull since the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

“I have to say, the Red Bull family is great,” Verstappen has told Sky Germany. “We’ve been together for a long time, and I still like it. I’ve always said that I would like to drive here until the end. That has always been the dream, and it’s still there.”

Max Verstappen admits it ‘won’t be easy’ with Red Bull’s own 2026 F1 regulations engine

It is widely expected that Red Bull will not have the best engine under F1’s 2026 regulations, as the Milton Keynes crew begin a new chapter as a power unit manufacturer in partnership with Ford. Christian Horner established Red Bull Powertrains before he was sacked this July.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Verstappen acknowledges that Red Bull becoming an engine manufacturer poses a “risk” for the team next year, as he is fully aware of the challenges that likely await. Horner rejected a possible deal between Red Bull and Porsche to establish their programme after Honda quit.

Verstappen said: “Next year won’t be easy with our own engine, but that’s also a new risk for Red Bull.”

Mercedes are expected to have the best 2026 F1 rules engine, while question marks persist about the potential of Ferrari’s power unit next year. There have been positive noises about Aston Martin’s Honda engine, with the Silverstone crew becoming Honda’s new works team.