Max Verstappen Red Bull exit truth as F1 rival could yet spark chaos | F1 | Sport

Time for a spot of mythbusting, I think, given the summer is approaching and driver market rumours are in overdrive. We have to start, of course, with Max Verstappen, who has been cast by many as the main character in all this. In many ways, he is.

He is Formula 1’s most eligible bachelor, given Red Bull‘s largely rubbish car and the contract clause which allows him to flee it if he wants. The impression I get from the people I’ve spoken to is that, as much as Verstappen would love to be a one-team man in F1, he’d be willing to jump ship at this point if a viable option appears. But that’s the issue right now: he doesn’t have one.

Toto Wolff has withdrawn his interest for the time being, unwilling to break up the George Russell and Kimi Antonelli partnership. And Lewis Hamilton is sticking around for 2027 with Charles Leclerc also on a new long-term contract. No room at Mercedes or Ferrari, then.

There have been talks with McLaren, but they are not believed to have gone very far. They would never axe Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has also received assurances that his place is not at risk. And so, with no better option out there, Verstappen looks highly likely to stick with Red Bull. Until next year’s exit clause comes into play, of course, when we will do this all over again.

The real catalyst for some movement this year may well be Fernando Alonso. He says he will decide over the summer whether or not this, aged 45, will be his last F1 season.

If Alonso does quit, that seat will undoubtedly be fought over by quite a few drivers. Because even though Aston Martin are rubbish right now, few would bet against Adrian Newey eventually turning things around. And whoever is driving for them when he does will reap the rewards.

Carlos Sainz has also been sparking rumours about his future. Understandable, given Williams‘ lack of progress has sparked his most worrying public comments yet, suggesting his belief could be wavering. But he will surely wait for the team’s big upgrade due for the Baku race in October which, it is understood, is set to finally get them on weight for the first time all year.

And if he does decide to leave, then surely Alpine is the likely alternative rather than Audi, which is what all the links are about right now. There might actually be a place there with Franco Colapinto not tied down, while Audi are unlikely to give either Gabriel Bortoleto or Nico Hulkenberg the boot.

Over at Haas, Esteban Ocon and his management are worried about all the external noise around his future at the moment. And they should be, given his lack of performance this year.

Haas expect to keep Oliver Bearman for at least another year with no room yet at Ferrari, but are actively looking at their options for the other seat. They needed an experienced head when they first fielded Bearman as a rookie but, now the Brit has two F1 seasons under his belt, Haas are looking at some more junior options again.

Last year’s Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and current F2 racer Rafael Camara, also a Ferrari junior, are front-runners. As it stands, the odds are believed to be longer on one of current reserves Jack Doohan and Ryo Hirakawa getting the nod. And former Red Bull racer Yuki Tsunoda, without a race seat this year, remains a more experienced option.

Tsunoda’s management team have been offering him around quite a bit lately, from what I’ve heard. The latest rumour has linked the Japanese racer with Williams, but I wouldn’t put too much stock in that.

James Vowles is still very much focused on keeping Sainz paired with Alex Albon and, despite the Spaniard publicly criticising Williams’ slower-than-hoped rate of improvement, there’s no concrete evidence yet to suggest Sainz is looking elsewhere. It seems to be as though Tsunoda’s management are doing their best to ensure their client’s name isn’t forgotten about.