Tom Coronel claims ‘only one team’ in F1 could match Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract

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Max Verstappen is set to stay at Red Bull for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Speculation has been rife in the paddock this year about a possible exit.

Verstappen has a contract at Red Bull until 2028, but the Dutchman has been linked with a move away amid the team’s struggles in 2025. The RB21 has proved a tricky car to drive, with the four-time champion winning just two of the opening 14 races.

Verstappen now considers himself out of the championship picture with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, sitting 97 points behind the former. Red Bull’s drop in performance has frustrated the 27-year-old, with Christian Horner’s sacking as team principal potentially being the fresh reset they need.

Red Bull are not ‘capable’ of meeting Verstappen’s demands, having brought 29 upgrades to the RB21 in 2025 but have arguably made little progress. The team’s regression has led to speculation that he could seek to leave the team if they cannot improve under the 2026 regulations.

The Dutchman’s commitment for next season will give Red Bull some peace of mind, but an early exit before his contract expires is possible. Verstappen has more favourable exit clauses in 2026 to leave Milton Keynes, but Tom Coronel thinks there is ‘only one team’ capable of signing him.

Tom Coronel claims only Ferrari can match Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract

Given his long and financially strong contract, Red Bull would demand nine figures to see Verstappen leave before 2028. The likes of Mercedes and Aston Martin have been linked with the Dutchman throughout 2025.

However, speaking via RacingNews365, Coronel thinks that Ferrari are the only team that could match Red Bull’s contract. Asked whether Verstappen would be better off staying put, he said: “Financially, yes. There’s only one team that could take over that contract, and that’s Ferrari. No one else could do that.”

Aston Martin reportedly offered Verstappen a £1bn contract for five years, which, theoretically, shows that they could afford him. But Coronel does not see the value of going there: “You know, it would only be for a very short time, and that would only be to hype the shares and the F1 team.”

Likewise, he sees no reason to move to Maranello: “At Ferrari, you’re like, ‘Okay, check, we’ve already ticked that box.’ That’s just a bucket list thing for drivers, as we know. No, I actually see him just completing it. And that’s why I’ve always said he’ll stay at Red Bull.”

Mercedes were heavily pursuing a deal for Verstappen, but Coronel is not convinced of a move there either, especially when the Silver Arrows are being dominated by customer team McLaren.

He added: “Everyone went along with the whole hype. But as long as a Mercedes customer team is winning against Mercedes, you shouldn’t be with Mercedes.

“If you can go to McLaren, you go there blindly. But you don’t go to a team that’s already behind your own team and whose customer team is winning races.”

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

Where is Max Verstappen most likely to end up in 2027?

Verstappen pulled off a genius move by staying at Red Bull in 2026. He intends to assess the pecking order next season before deciding his future, which is wise, given no one knows where any of the teams are.

However, Red Bull need to deliver a competitive car, with Pierre Wache facing increasing pressure to improve the car. Furthermore, Verstappen could grow tired of Red Bull if they cannot solve their problems with the second car; Yuki Tsunoda has scored just seven points since replacing Liam Lawson.

Ferrari are not pursuing Verstappen at this time as they are focusing on Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes and Toto Wolff will certainly remain interested in the Dutchman if he becomes available.

Verstappen is reconsidering a move to Aston Martin after reports suggested that he had rejected the Silverstone outfit. A reunion with Adrian Newey and Honda makes the team an attractive option for the Dutchman.