Max Verstappen joining two F1 rival teams in 2026 now ‘out of the question’ amid Red Bull concerns

The race to try and convince Max Verstappen that the grass is greener outside of the Red Bull Racing is on.

The Bahrain Grand Prix highlighted the issues that have been bubbling away under the surface at Red Bull for some time.

Cracks started to form last season, when Max Verstappen suddenly witnessed Lando Norris go on and win the first race of his Formula 1 career at the Miami Grand Prix when McLaren delivered their first major update package of the year.

It turned out that the upgrades McLaren delivered weren’t track specific, and suddenly Norris and Oscar Piastri were regularly battling the Dutchman.

Ferrari then took a step forward themselves later in the year, and Verstappen had to fight tooth and nail to deliver his fourth drivers’ championship, while Red Bull hopes of securing the constructors’ title fell by the wayside as Sergio Perez’s struggles became clear to see.

However, the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season has highlighted several key issues for Verstappen and Red Bull.

Liam Lawson being demoted two races into the campaign has barely papered over the cracks, and now the Dutchman’s future at Red Bull is starting to be questioned.

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

McLaren and Ferrari ‘out of the question’ for Max Verstappen

A report from the Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport has provided more details on Verstappen’s future.

Verstappen’s current contract runs until 2028, but it’s not quite as straightforward as that.

Red Bull are aware of clauses in Verstappen’s contract that mean he could leave as early as this winter if he fails to reach certain performance parameters.

The report from Gazzetta suggests that a move to Ferrari and McLaren is ‘out of the question’ for Verstappen, given that both of their drivers already have contracts for next season.

Even though Lewis Hamilton hasn’t had the best start to life with the Scuderia, there’s no way team principal Fred Vasseur is going to cut his contract short, even if Verstappen made himself available.

They report that Aston Martin and Mercedes are in ‘pole position’ to bring in the 27-year-old should he wish to leave, although Ralf Schumacher has backed Alpine to move for Verstappen due to Flavio Briatore’s influence on the driver’s market.

Mercedes are keen on extending George Russell’s contract, making a move for Verstappen difficult unless Toto Wolff drops Andrea Kimi Antonelli after a single season.

Meanwhile, Aston Martin have long held an interest in Verstappen, and although Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso are already signed up for the 2026 season, Gazzetta reports that Lawrence Stroll ‘would be ready to do anything’ to sign the four-time world champion.

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Why a move to Aston Martin makes perfect sense for Max Verstappen if he leaves Red Bull

Verstappen may not have his pick of every team on the grid should he tell Red Bull he’s leaving, but Aston Martin looks like a decent destination for him even if this season’s car isn’t firing on all cylinders.

It’s well known how much Verstappen enjoys driving cars with Honda power units, something Aston Martin have exclusive access to next season.

Adrian Newey is also only working on Aston Martin’s 2026 car, meaning that the team’s performance this year can’t be attributed to the design genius.

It’s more likely that Verstappen would replace Alonso, unless Stroll is suddenly moved into one of Aston Martin’s other racing projects.

That’s another driver pairing that fans would love to see, but it’s still some way off becoming a reality.