Bernie Ecclestone predicts Max Verstappen to replace ‘brilliant’ F1 driver next season if he leaves Red Bull

The future of Max Verstappen is likely to be a growing topic of discussion this season if Red Bull Racing can’t produce a race-winning car.

For the first time since 2020, Max Verstappen hasn’t won at least one of the first two Grand Prix of the season.

That year, Verstappen had to wait until the fifth race to stand on the top step of the podium, and if that happens again, he can wave goodbye his hopes of winning a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship.

Red Bull’s 2024 F1 car had its issues, but by the time McLaren and Ferrari had surpassed them, Verstappen already had a big enough lead in the standings to ward off Lando Norris.

This season, Verstappen hasn’t been able to build up that same buffer, leaving him vulnerable to the likes of Norris and Oscar Piastri, with Mercedes star George Russell also securing back-to-back podium finishes.

Verstappen has sympathised with Liam Lawson, who has already lost his seat at Red Bull after just two race weekends, with the Kiwi unable to grapple with the RB21.

Yuki Tsunoda has been promoted in his place, but it feels like Red Bull are simply papering over the cracks right now.

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Bernie Ecclestone predicts Max Verstappen to replace Kimi Antonelli if he leaves Red Bull

If Verstappen decided that he needed to move on from Red Bull, then he wouldn’t be short of options elsewhere in the paddock.

Verstappen doesn’t have ambitions to race in Formula 1 forever, meaning that any season where he’s not challenging for a championship is a wasted opportunity.

Former CEO of the Formula One Group, Bernie Ecclestone, gave his thoughts on the 27-year-old’s future in an interview with the Swiss outlet Blick.

When asked about the prospect of Verstappen moving on, Ecclestone said: “If Max were to go to Mercedes, the young Antonelli, who has been performing brilliantly so far, would probably have to go.”

Mercedes haven’t been shy in showing their interest in Verstappen, with Toto Wolff a particularly big fan of the four-time world champion.

He missed out on signing Verstappen much earlier in his career when Red Bull were able to offer him an immediate route into Formula 1 through their sister team Toro Rosso.

However, it would be a surprise if Mercedes abandoned Andrea Kimi Antonelli after just one season given they rate him as a similar generational talent to the Dutchman.

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Mercedes face an impossible decision if Max Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull

Although Aston Martin are also keen on Verstappen, Mercedes appears to be the strongest option available to the four-time world champion if he decides he needs a new challenge in the paddock.

Mercedes are expected to have the best power unit going into the 2026 regulations, and theoretically, both seats in the team are up for grabs.

Antonelli and George Russell’s contracts are set to expire at the end of this year, although it would be hard to consider letting either of them leave based on their performances this season.

The trouble for Mercedes is that one of the options that would have been available to them last season, when it comes to Antonelli, is no longer viable.

In the past, Mercedes used their partnership with Williams to help develop Russell until he was ready to race for the Silver Arrows, although Wolff regretted leaving Russell with Williams for as long as he did.

Antonelli hasn’t shown that he necessarily needs that kind of preparation, but Verstappen would constitute an immediate upgrade on the Italian.

However, James Vowles won’t want to sacrifice Alex Albon or Carlos Sainz to help another team develop their young driver, leaving Wolff in an almost impossible situation.