Max Verstappen would have to ‘backtrack’ on comments he made about Ferrari if he wanted to join the team

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Max Verstappen has been linked with a move to Ferrari for the 2027 season. The four-time world champion will assess his options when the pecking order under the new regulations emerges.

A report in September claimed that Verstappen is strongly considering Ferrari among his 2027 options. His Red Bull deal runs until the end of 2028, but is widely believed to contain an exit clause.

Verstappen can leave Red Bull if he’s below a certain position in the standings at a specified juncture, and the bar is believed to be higher than it was this season (top three).

The expectation in the paddock is that Ferrari won’t renew Lewis Hamilton’s contract, which could create an opening alongside Charles Leclerc.

Max Verstappen once accused Ferrari of cheating and it could affect his chances of joining

As reported by Autosport Web, Verstappen will effectively be able to ‘decide what team he wants to join’. The only destination that may be off-limits is McLaren, who have repeatedly stated that they already have the best line-up in F1.

Verstappen battled Leclerc for the title in 2022, although he pulled clear in the second half of the season. His rivalries with Mercedes and McLaren drivers have been more intense.

But Autosport Web say that Verstappen would have ‘to backtrack on some comments’ he made about Ferrari ‘a few years ago’ to make a move feasible.

They don’t specify which comments, but they’re likely referring to Verstappen’s 2019 accusation that Ferrari were ‘cheating’ with their power unit. Mattia Binotto, the team principal at the time, said this was ‘completely wrong’ (via ESPN).

Why did Max Verstappen think Ferrari were cheating?

The dispute centred on Ferrari’s interpretation of the fuel-flow regulations. The FIA issued a number of technical directives to clarify what was legal and reached a ‘settlement’ with the Maranello outfit at the start of the following year.

Verstappen suggested that Ferrari’s poor performance at the US GP – they missed out on the podium after one of those directives was issued – supported his theory. He later said that he should have taken another ‘one or two minutes’ to think before the explosive interview.

Ferrari might seek a more explicit retraction in any future negotiations. But Verstappen is one of the most ruthless drivers in F1 and is rarely apologetic.

Would he give up his number-one status at Red Bull? Verstappen has a ‘deep respect’ for Leclerc, but would back himself against any driver.

A partnership between the two could be one of the most exciting in F1 history.