Max Verstappen can become just the second driver ever after Michael Schumacher to win five Formula 1 titles in a row this season, yet his future at Red Bull remains a doubt.
The Dutchman has spent his entire Formula 1 career yet as part of the Red Bull family having debuted for Toro Rosso in 2015 before Verstappen moved up to their main team in 2016. He has relished racing in dark blue, too, with the 27-year-old rapidly rising up the F1 stat charts.
Red Bull plus the consistently expanding F1 calendar has helped Verstappen to already claim the third-most Grand Prix wins (63), fourth-most podium finishes (112), fifth-most poles (40) and sixth-most fastest laps (33) to date. He has even won the last four straight drivers’ titles.
Winning a fifth F1 drivers’ championship this year would see Verstappen match Juan Manuel Fangio’s career tally and Schumacher’s record of five in a row with Ferrari from 2000-04. But questions linger over Verstappen’s long-term future at Red Bull despite his contract to 2028.
F1 paddock believes Aston Martin would sack Fernando Alonso to sign Max Verstappen
Verstappen has hinted he may retire from Formula 1 when his contract with Red Bull expires following the 2028 season. His deal even includes potential break clauses that would let him leave earlier if the Dutchman decides to, which Mercedes mulled to replace Lewis Hamilton.
Toto Wolff publicly pursued Verstappen joining Mercedes when Hamilton stunned the Silver Arrows by signing for Ferrari from 2025. Now, though, Aston Martin are the most likely team to sign him, and Red Bull admit Verstappen could leave after 2026 if he does not feel happy.
Also, ESPN now reports ‘most’ people in the Formula 1 paddock believe Aston Martin would axe Fernando Alonso rather than Lance Stroll if they get a chance to sign Verstappen. Alonso may be the undisputed team leader in Silverstone but the team dynamic is not as one-sided.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Stroll is the son of Aston Martin team owner, Lawrence Stroll – who is even the driving force behind their interest in signing Verstappen. So, should the chance arise to coax the 27-year-old from Red Bull, Alonso – a two-time world champion – could be looking for pastures new.
Aston Martin could send Fernando Alonso into F1 retirement after the 2026 season
The F1 driver market might have to wait at least one more season for the dominos to fall for Verstappen to leave Red Bull and join Aston Martin. Along with Red Bull admitting he might leave Milton Keynes after the 2026 term, Alonso is out of contract in Silverstone after 2026.
Aston Martin gave Alonso a £19m-a-year contract for the 2025 and 2026 campaigns back in April, with his previous terms expiring after the 2024 season. The Spaniard’s contract could now give the £1.6bn-valued Aston Martin F1 team an easy out if Verstappen looks to move.
READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2
| GRAND PRIX STATS | MAX VERSTAPPEN | FERNANDO ALONSO |
| Grand Prix wins | 63 (30.14%, P3) | 32 (7.98%, P7) |
| Grand Prix poles | 40 (19.14%, P5) | 22 (5.45%, P15) |
| Grand Prix podiums | 112 (53.59%, P4) | 106 (26.43%, P6) |
| Grand Prix fastest laps | 33 (15.79%, P6) | 26 (6.48%, P9) |
It would remain to be seen if Alonso, who is already 43 years old, would get another seat in F1 if Aston Martin moved on from the 2005 and 2006 drivers’ champion. Alonso last won a race at the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix and last took a pole position at the German GP in 2012.
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