MONZA, Italy – Max Verstappen has left open the possibility of a future at Ferrari, despite not being sure about competing in Formula 1 for much longer.
Verstappen’s future has been a topic of conversation throughout the season, although he is currently committed to Red Bull until at least 2026.
Although he has been linked with Mercedes, the driver would attract the attention of any team with an available seat. Lewis Hamilton has a contract with Ferrari until the end of 2026, and Verstappen suggested that there could be an opportunity for him in the future.
Before the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari’s home race, Verstappen commented:
“They have two drivers contracted for next year, so there is no discussion. Now, is there a possibility? Yes, there are many possibilities in life for any kind of decision. Of course, at the moment that is not on the horizon, but who knows? I don’t even know how long I’m going to race in Formula 1, so there are still many unknowns for me. It’s always very difficult to know what’s going to happen, right?”
Max Verstappen
Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesVerstappen, currently third in the drivers’ championship, has expressed on several occasions his doubts about whether he will continue competing beyond his current contract with Red Bull, which extends until 2028.
His old rival, Hamilton, who was surpassed by Verstappen in the 2021 drivers’ championship, has struggled since joining Ferrari this season, in a highly publicized move at the start of the season.
Verstappen pointed out that it is incorrect for people to assume that any driver can switch teams and immediately be competitive.
“I can’t know how [Hamilton] was operating at Mercedes, how he feels personally, what’s also happening in the [Ferrari] team at the moment. I don’t have any information about that.”
“The thing is, he joined a team that already has a very strong driver with Charles [Leclerc], so it will never be easy to immediately come in and start beating your teammate who is well integrated, knows the team very well, speaks the language. But these cars can be quite complicated sometimes to fully understand why you are fast or not, basically.”
Speculation about Verstappen’s contract arose from a performance clause that existed in his contract, which allowed him to leave early if he was in fourth place or below at the summer break.
He entered the break in third place, which made Mercedes’ interest irrelevant.
