It has been claimed that Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull at the end of the 2025 season.
In 2024, Verstappen further etched himself in F1 history by adding a fourth world title to his CV.
Heading into the Australian Grand Prix last weekend, it was heavily rumoured that Verstappen would have to dig deep into his resources if he is to defend his title again.
McLaren, led by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are likely to be the team to beat this season, with the Brit clinching victory in Melbourne ahead of Verstappen.
Ever since Red Bull experienced a sudden drop in form mid-way through the 2024 season, Verstappen’s future has been a major talking point.
The Dutchman has been linked with the likes of Aston Martin, Mercedes and even Williams in recent months.
Speaking about Verstappen’s future, McLaren team boss Zak Brown has boldly claimed that the 27-year-old will leave Red Bull at the end of the season.
McLaren team boss Zak Brown tips Max Verstappen to leave Red Bull
He said to The Telegraph: “Oh I think he’ll leave at the end of this year, most likely to Merc.
“There’s been talk of Aston Martin, too, with Adrian Newey joining. But as great as Adrian is – and he’s the greatest ever – you need a whole team around you. You need the culture. That takes time.”
Could Max Verstappen leave Red Bull this year? Image: Getty
Brown continued: “If I was betting, I’d bet on Merc. In the last 10 years, they’ve won the championship seven or eight times. Last year they won five races. They have stability. We know Toto [Wolff, Mercedes principal and one-third team owner] likes him.
“And I think we all feel HPP [Mercedes High Performance Powertrains] is best equipped on the power unit side heading into the new engine regulations next year. Plus, George [Russell] is out of contract at the end of this season and Kimi [Antonelli] will be on a series of one-years.”
However, speaking ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff stated that Verstappen is currently off the radar.
He said: “I think we said it really clear last year, he [Verstappen] said the same, we need to concentrate on our driver line-up.
“I won’t flirt outside if I’m in a good relationship, and this is true for this year too. So at the moment, that [signing Verstappen], is not on any radar.”
