Verstappen’s Next Move Unveiled Amid Red Bull’s Deepening Crisis
Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull Racing has been thrust into the spotlight once again as the 2025 Formula 1 season unfolds with mounting turmoil for the Milton Keynes squad. The four-time world champion, long the linchpin of Red Bull’s success, is reportedly weighing his options as the team grapples with a faltering RB21 car and internal disarray. With Helmut Marko dropping cryptic hints about Verstappen’s contract clauses and the looming 2026 regulation shakeup, whispers of a blockbuster exit are growing louder—leaving fans and insiders buzzing about what’s next for the Dutch superstar.
The cracks in Red Bull’s armor became undeniable this year. After dominating 2023 with 21 wins in 22 races, the team’s fortunes have nosedived, with the RB20’s struggles bleeding into the RB21. Tire degradation and an unbalanced chassis have plagued performance, and the early demotion of Liam Lawson after just two races—a move Verstappen openly questioned—has only deepened the unease. Marko, Red Bull’s veteran advisor and a close confidant of Verstappen, didn’t sugarcoat the situation. “Upgrades are needed for Max to win his fifth world title. That is our big goal,” he said, acknowledging that every top driver, including Verstappen, has an exit clause tied to performance. With Red Bull trailing McLaren’s blistering pace and sitting second in the drivers’ standings by a slim eight-point margin, the clock is ticking.
Marko’s candid remarks hint at a critical deadline: the summer break. If the RB21’s issues persist—issues Verstappen has been tirelessly pushing engineers to address—the champion could trigger his escape hatch. “Max is not happy,” Marko admitted, pointing to the Lawson fiasco as a sore spot. The team’s official line is that Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion aims to accelerate car development, but Verstappen’s frustration suggests a disconnect. Tsunoda, showing newfound consistency and speed, offers hope, yet the RB21 remains a beast only Verstappen can tame—a testament to his talent, but a glaring weakness for a squad chasing both titles.
The shadow of Adrian Newey’s departure looms large. Marko conceded Red Bull misses the legendary designer’s genius, especially now. “A Newey is a Newey,” he said, lamenting the lack of his input on a car that’s notoriously tricky to drive compared to Racing Bulls’ more forgiving machinery. This regression—from title juggernaut to a team benchmarking against its sister outfit—has fueled speculation that Verstappen might seek greener pastures. And where might he land? Mercedes is emerging as the frontrunner.
Toto Wolff has never hidden his admiration for Verstappen, and with the 2026 engine rules favoring Mercedes’ expertise, the Silver Arrows are poised for a resurgence. McLaren’s Zak Brown threw fuel on the fire, predicting, “Max will leave at the end of this year, most likely to Mercedes.” He cited their stability—five wins in 2024—and top-tier power unit as lures, especially with George Russell’s contract expiring and Kimi Antonelli on short-term deals. Wolff, playing coy, said long-term plans for his current drivers are in motion, but his past pursuit of Verstappen in *Drive to Survive* suggests he’d pounce if the chance arose. Aston Martin, bolstered by Newey’s arrival, is a dark horse, though Brown dismissed their chances, arguing culture and team depth take time to build.
For now, Verstappen’s pouring his energy into salvaging Red Bull’s season, but his patience isn’t infinite. If upgrades falter, the summer could ignite a new silly season, with Mercedes holding the strongest cards. Red Bull’s woes—internal strife, a cursed second seat, and a car unworthy of its star—might just push their champion out the door. Will Verstappen stay to fight, or jump ship to chase a fifth title elsewhere? The paddock’s holding its breath.
