Max Verstappen faces an uncertain future with Red Bull Racing amid rumours over a potential exit and he has been linked to four rival Formula One teams.
Despite a contract expiring in 2028, it is believed to have a performance-related clause that could allow him to leave early if Red Bull fails to deliver a competitive car.
The Dutchman’s sixth-place at the Bahrain Grand Prix, coupled with McLaren’s dominance, has fueled speculation about a potential departure.
There have been internal challenges at Red Bull including the departure of key personnel including Adrian Newey.
Verstappen has struggled with balance issues and won just two of his last 10 races.
Ralf Schumacher, brother of legendary seven-time world champion Michael, has named four teams that Verstappen could join in 2026.
Below, SportsCasting takes a look at those teams and what it would mean to the drivers at those outfits.
The Four Teams That Could Sign Max Verstappen From Red Bull
Mercedes
Mercedes have long been considered as a frontrunner to sign Max Verstappen from Red Bull amid rumours that he could make an exit from his current team.
Team principal Christian Horner openly expressed interest in signing the Dutchman as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
They eventually went for Italian rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli to partner Verstappen’s rival George Russell.
The Silver Arrows could be a viable option for Verstappen, as they look to be well-prepared for the 2026 engine regulation changes. This could potentially offer Verstappen the opportunity of fighting for more titles going into the next era of Formula One.
Wolff has recently stated that Verstappen is no longer a priority but pundits including Ralf Schumacher believe Mercedes would ‘clear up space’ to sign the best driver on the grid.
Both Russell and Antonelli are both only contracted until the end of the 2025 season. Russell’s performances at the start of 2025 would make it a tough decision for Mercedes to part ways with the British driver.
If Mercedes did make a move it would be a brave decision to partner Verstappen and Russell.
Antonelli is seen as a star of the future but could be signed to a new contract and loaned out to another team if Wolff decided to risk putting Verstappen together with Russell.
🔵| Martin Brundle believes George Russell's Mercedes future isn't certain after Max Verstappen exit talk:
Speaking to Sky F1, Brundle said: “I think if Max Verstappen sprung into the marketplace, I would be quite worried for George, actually, because Kimi is obviously their man… pic.twitter.com/vMjueCqNvd
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) April 16, 2025
Aston Martin
A move to Aston Martin would see him reunite with legendary designer Adrian Newey, who left Red Bull to join as technical director.
Newey has been brought in for the 2026 regulations and given the quality of cars he has previously designed for Verstappen, he could be tempted by a move to the outfit.
Aston Martin’s partnership with Honda, Verstappen’s engine supplier at Red Bull, will add more appeal given his familiarity with the power units.
Pundits including Ralf Schumacher have linked Verstappen to Aston Martin. Juan Pablo Montoya, a race-winner for Williams and McLaren in the 2000s, said that Verstappen will receive an offer from Aston Martin that he ‘can’t refuse’.
Aston Martin’s current lack of championship pace could be a concern for Verstappen. However, it is clear under their billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll that they have a lot of ambition.
The team have moved in to a new factory will have an in-house gearbox for the 2026 season.
Fernando Alonso will turn 45 in 2026 and could retire from Formula One at the end of the current season.
Lance Stroll has struggled to succeed in Formula One. However, he is unlikely to be pushed out by his dad Lawrence unless Lance himself takes the decision to move to another racing category.
McLaren
Ralf Schumacher claims that McLaren would ‘consider’ Verstappen if he decides to leave Red Bull.
McLaren, the current pace-setters, present an attractive option for Verstappen who has vocally spoken out about how impressed he is with the pace of the 2025 McLaren.
The team’s drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, lead the championship as things stand. However, Schumacher has noted that McLaren CEO Zak Brown has maintained interest in Verstappen.
There were reports that McLaren inquired about his availability last year when there was talk he could leave in 2025.
One thing that complicates matters though is that Norris and Piastri are both on long-term contracts.
There is currently a stable relationship between the two McLaren drivers. That could change if they compete for the title this year, though the addition of Verstappen would likely further complicate matters with whoever out of Piastri and Norris partners him.
Verstappen’s desire for a team-leader role could also clashed with McLaren who have a history of letting their drivers race.
Should McLaren continue their dominance it would be no surprise to see Verstappen interested in a switch to the team.
For Brown and McLaren, it would be an ambitious yet risky move.
Alpine
The most surprising team to be linked to Verstappen is Alpine.
Alpine will take on Mercedes engines for the 2026 season. There is also added intrigue with Flavio Briatore’s involvement as an executive advisor.
Briatore worked with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso when they both won a pair of championships with the outfit when they went under a different name.
The Italian also has a connection with Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, from their Benetton days which could also help negotiations.
After a tough opening three races, Pierre Gasly showed signs of improvement for Alpine in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Frenchman qualified fifth and showed strong race pace despite falling back to seventh by the end.
Ralf Schumacher highlighted their potential on a German podcast Backstage Boxengasse.
He said: “The team we keep forgetting about, but does play a role in the whole thing… Alpine. Flavio Briatore has taken Mercedes engines for his team next year. In the meantime, look at Pierre Gasly [in Bahrain] last weekend.
“That car can’t be that bad. Add to that an extra 30hp [horse power] from the Mercedes engine. I don’t want to discount that team either. So in my eyes, there are four teams that could be interesting for Verstappen.”
Alpine would remain the long-shot out of the four options giving their midfield status in recent years.
