Max Verstappen willing to join Ferrari on one condition as F1 star teases future move
Max Verstappen has spoken out about a future with Ferrari.
Max Verstappen is open to a future move to Ferrari, but is only willing to race for the legendary Italian constructor in the event that he can fight for regular race victories and World Championships. The Scuderia's most recent Drivers' Championship title came through Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, despite a slew of world-class drivers having donned the iconic red overalls since.
Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc, and now Lewis Hamilton have all stepped behind the wheel of Ferrari machinery since Raikkonen pipped the future seven-time world champion to the crown in 2007, but none of those iconic names have been able to guide the Prancing Horse back to Formula One glory.
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Could Verstappen become the latest F1 icon to try? The Dutchman is not ruling it out. The reigning world champion is keeping his contract options open beyond 2026, and while Red Bull are desperate to keep him, Ferrari and Mercedes are both alternative options for the 27-year-old.
Speaking ahead of Ferrari's home race, Verstappen said: “I think Ferrari is a massive brand. All the drivers, they see and they picture themselves there, ‘I would like to drive for Ferrari.’ But I think that's also where the mistake comes, just to drive for Ferrari.
“If I would ever want to go there, I don't go there just to drive for Ferrari, I go there because I see the opportunity to win. And if you win with Ferrari, that's even better. And that's, I think, where you shouldn't let yourself get guided just because of the emotions and passion of a brand, you need to go there because you feel that is the right place to go.”
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For now, Verstappen is content with Red Bull, though. “They have two drivers contracted for next year, so there is no discussion anyway,” he declared. “Now, is there a chance? Yes, there are a lot of chances 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 driving in Formula One, so there are still a lot of unknowns for me. It's always very difficult to know what is going to happen, right?"
In 2025, Verstappen's focus is on dragging Red Bull back into the fight for second in the Constructors' Championship with Ferrari and Mercedes, and holding off George Russell and Charles Leclerc for third in the Drivers' Championship. Then, in 2026, he can survey the new F1 landscape when the new technical regulation set in, and choose his home for the future.
