A Dutch Formula 1 commentator has sparked a new discussion on Max Verstappen’s career possibilities, suggesting a move to Ferrari could enhance the team, especially as a teammate to Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen’s reign of dominance with Red Bull has been unparalleled, clinching three World Championships back-to-back starting from 2021.
The 26-year-old’s track record is impressive, winning 46 out of 68 races since his first championship season, and he kicked off 2024 with wins from pole position in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
A victory at the upcoming Melbourne Grand Prix would equal his record of 10 consecutive wins, a milestone he set six months ago, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 record.
Though Verstappen is firmly at the pinnacle of F1 and tied to Red Bull until 2028, recent controversies surrounding team principal Christian Horner have cast doubts on his future with the team.
After an inquiry into Horner’s conduct was dismissed, Verstappen’s father criticized Horner, leading to speculation about Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes as Hamilton’s successor.
However, despite Charles Leclerc’s recent contract renewal with Ferrari and Hamilton’s shocking transfer news, Dutch racer and analyst Mike Hezemans speculates that Verstappen might switch to Ferrari.
Hezemans also suggested that Hamilton would be wise to welcome Verstappen as a Ferrari teammate in 2025.
“Of course, a contract says nothing in Formula 1. If I were [Ferrari team principal Fred] Vasseur, I say yes. Then you do bring in the best. But does Hamilton want that? Maybe he does, I would think that would be clever,” he told RacingNews365.
“That would be a lot of fun. But whether it will happen? I don’t think so. But if Verstappen were to go to Ferrari, that would give a kind of boost to Ferrari.”