The Formula 1 pecking order is expected to be extremely tight in 2025, with as many as four teams in contention for the world championship including Red Bull.
Red Bull lost the constructors’ championship to McLaren last year after a dismal campaign from second driver Sergio Perez.
Max Verstappen rallied to a fourth consecutive drivers’ title, despite not having the fastest machinery for much of the season.
Pre-season testing suggests that his challenge may be even more difficult in 2025, with Mercedes and Ferrari now potentially ahead of them too. They may be the fourth fastest on the grid.
Verstappen will be difficult for Red Bull if they are not in contention for race victories, believes ex-Haas boss Guenther Steiner.
He’s used to being at the front and has been for virtually his whole career. The departure of genius designer Adrian Newey makes things more difficult in Milton Keynes, and may be part of the reason for them falling back in the pecking order.
Juan Pablo Montoya expects Max Verstappen rumours to ‘skyrocket’ if Red Bull have bad F1 car in 2025
A rocky period in 2024 saw rumours that the reigning champion may leave Red Bull before the end of his contract in 2028 surface.
Verstappen’s camp responded to rumours of a £1 billion Aston Martin offer by saying that no such approach had been made during the off-season.
READ MORE: Red Bull ‘sources’ have now revealed when Max Verstappen may decide to leave amid Aston Martin rumours
Juan Pablo Montoya believes that there is a chance that those rumours could be reignited if the Dutchman endures a poor campaign.
“I would put Red Bull for example between third and fourth best maybe. They will soon surprise us, but it’s the first year without Newey’s leadership,” he said.
“As they had so many problems with the past, I see it complicated [that] they can do much more. Max is very good. Max in the races is very good. He executes very well and that is going to give him good things,” he continued.
“We will see where the car is and where that goes. [If] the Red Bull does not go well, the rumours of what will happen with Max are going to skyrocket.”
Which F1 teams would be able to sign Max Verstappen for 2026?
Verstappen could ditch Red Bull for Mercedes in 2026, it’s one of the options that may be on the table if he wants a change in scenery.
Frankly, all nine teams would love to have him in their setup, but he’s going to command a big fee as he enters the prime of his career.
The aforementioned Aston Martin could make a move as well, but there may be a third team in the frame if their drivers do not get on well.
READ MORE: The two F1 drivers who could now be fighting to be Max Verstappen’s teammate in 2026
McLaren, who are one of two teams with an unchanged driver pairing for this season, could look to bring the Dutchman in if Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris fail to get along.
Pastri’s manager Mark Webber has close ties with Red Bull, and may be able to convince their heirarchy that a swap would be good for both sides.
