Max Verstappen predicted to replace 32-win F1 driver halfway through the 2025 season

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Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen is fully aware of the pressure he’s under going into the final six race weekends of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

The last two years have been a breeze for Max Verstappen as he possessed by far the fastest car on the grid at Red Bull and teammate Sergio Perez has never sustained a challenge on the Dutchman’s dominance.

However, in 2024, Red Bull proved that they’re fallible and several teams have taken advantage.

Verstappen hasn’t won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix, with McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes all picking up victories in that time.

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

Helmut Marko knows Verstappen won’t race in F1 forever, and so he’s very unlikely to settle for years of mediocrity if Red Bull no longer have the fastest car.

Dutch professional racing driver and pundit Jeroen Bleekemolen spoke to RacingNews365 about Verstappen’s immediate future.

He believes that Verstappen would not hesitate to change teams as early as next season if he doesn’t see an improvement from Red Bull.

Bleekemolen now believes that Verstappen would end up at Aston Martin sooner rather than later.

In fact, he doesn’t rule out a potential mid-season driver change in 2025 and surprisingly, he thinks Verstappen would replace Fernando Alonso, rather than Lance Stroll.

The legendary Spaniard – who has 32 race wins to his name – has more than doubled his teammate’s points tally this year, but Bleekemolen has a reason for why he might step aside instead of Stroll.

Jeroen Bleekemolen suggests Max Verstappen could replace Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin next year

Talking about Verstappen’s future at Red Bull, Bleekemolen said: “If it doesn’t work out – and he certainly won’t be at the back – then I can see that happening.

“There will be enough money to buy out any contracts. And Christian Horner has also already indicated that if someone really doesn’t want to drive for his team, he can’t force that person to stay. And he’s right about that, the team won’t benefit from that.

“I think he will join Aston Martin, be it after a sabbatical of six months, or maybe during the season. That is also absolutely not unthinkable. Lawrence really wants him.

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

“Alonso will step out when he has to. According to his contract, he is well paid for that by Aston Martin and he does not have an eternal shelf life.

“He will definitely do Le Mans in 2026 with the Valkyrie project, perhaps together with Max.”

Aston Martin have already held talks with Max Verstappen

Although Verstappen is still leading the Drivers’ Championship, things have not been particularly rosy within the team this year.

A turbulent season has seen Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley and Will Courtenay all decide to take on new challenges at different teams in the paddock.

Perez has once again underperformed and although he’s got a contract for 2025, there are still question marks over whether he’ll be on the grid.

Alonso has plans for 2027 and beyond at Aston Martin but he will know that stepping back into a different role within the team is on the horizon at some point.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Verstappen has reportedly previously held talks with Aston Martin this year with Lawrence Stroll a huge fan of the Dutchman.

The 27-year-old may be tempted by the chance to work with Newey again and have Honda power units for the 2026 season and beyond.

The F1 driver’s market was completely shaken up by Lewis Hamilton’s announcement that he would be joining Ferrari next year, if Verstappen makes a mid-season switch to Aston Martin, then that merry-go-round will begin all over again.