Scuderia Ferrari has just lately been thrust into the highlight concerning the opportunity of signing Max Verstappen for the 2026 Method 1 season, as rumors of the Dutch driver’s potential departure from Pink Bull proceed to accentuate.
The four-time Method 1 world champion has been linked with leaving the Milton Keynes-based staff because the earlier season. Inside conflicts, together with the departures of key figures akin to Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, raised considerations that the Dutchman would possibly observe go well with. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old remained with Pink Bull and secured his fourth title in 2024. Regardless of this, the 2025 season has seen rising hypothesis about his future, as Max Verstappen has expressed mounting frustration with Pink Bull’s efficiency and growth.
Though Verstappen gained the Japanese Grand Prix and secured two pole positions in 2025, he has struggled to adapt to the RB21. Pink Bull’s efficiency has notably regressed in comparison with 2024, fueling rumors that Max Verstappen might depart the staff earlier than his contract expires in 2028. Whereas Mercedes and Aston Martin are steadily talked about as potential suitors for the Dutchman, Aston Martin seems to be probably the most severe contender, reportedly providing Verstappen a £1 billion contract to rejoin forces with Adrian Newey and Honda.
Followers are desperate to see Verstappen be a part of Aston Martin, however there’s additionally hypothesis that he would possibly take a sabbatical from Method 1, probably returning in 2027. Ought to this situation unfold, it might open the door for Verstappen to affix Ferrari, creating additional intrigue round his future.
Ferrari at present has one of many strongest driver line-ups on the grid with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, but the staff has struggled for consistency in 2025. Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first podium of the season in Jeddah, whereas Hamilton has confronted vital challenges adapting to the automotive, battling with steadiness points and a substantial efficiency deficit in comparison with his teammate.
Lewis Hamilton, who’s underneath contract with Ferrari till 2026, has the choice for an extension into 2027. This might probably pave the way in which for Max Verstappen to affix the staff, however in response to F1 journalist Edd Straw, Ferrari will not be at present pursuing the Dutchman. In truth, the British F1 journalist states that Ferrari is absolutely centered on their present driver pairing and isn’t exploring choices for Verstappen presently.
Edd Straw defined on The Race F1 Podcast that the hypothesis surrounding Max Verstappen’s future in 2026 and 2027 doesn’t contain Ferrari, because the staff will not be actively pursuing him. Ferrari’s dedication to Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton for the foreseeable future, the Method 1 journalist and broadcaster added, signifies that the scenario is unlikely to vary earlier than 2027.
Nevertheless, the mere chance of Max Verstappen becoming a member of Ferrari is elevating considerations for the Briton, who has not loved the sleek begin to his Maranello profession that many had anticipated. Whereas Hamilton did safe a Dash win in China, his finest end in a race up to now in 2025 has been fifth place in Bahrain, and his efficiency in Saudi Arabia was disappointing.
In Jeddah, Lewis Hamilton struggled all through the weekend and completed greater than 30 seconds behind Charles Leclerc within the race. This marked the tip of Hamilton’s exceptional 168-race streak of ending inside 30 seconds of his teammate. The 40-year-old’s contract with Ferrari is more likely to be his closing one in Method 1, but when his struggles persist, he could also be reluctant to increase his keep past 2026.
Former F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari has urged that Lewis Hamilton might depart Ferrari in 2026, because the staff is at present “not a successful staff.” Guenther Steiner, the Haas F1 staff principal, has additionally warned that Lewis Hamilton’s confidence may very well be severely impacted if the scenario doesn’t enhance, calling it the “worst factor” apart from his efficiency struggles. Given Lewis Hamilton’s seen frustration in Jeddah, it’s evident that Ferrari has vital work to do earlier than the upcoming Miami Grand Prix in the event that they hope to maintain their star driver content material and aggressive.
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