Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has reignited speculation regarding Max Verstappen’s future by suggesting the Dutchman should leave Red Bull before his current contract expires in 2028.
Herbert believes a transfer to Aston Martin, where Verstappen could reunite with Adrian Newey and Honda, would be a strategic move to secure future championship titles.
With Red Bull facing uncharted territory as it ventures into self-produced power units with Ford, and Aston Martin assembling a tantalizing package under Lawrence Stroll’s ambitious leadership, Herbert’s argument hinges on whispers of trouble in Milton Keynes and the allure of a proven winning formula in Silverstone.
Herbert’s vision comes at a pivotal moment. Verstappen, who has reigned supreme with Red Bull since 2021, is contracted through 2028, but rumors of performance-related exit clauses and a blockbuster $1 billion link to Aston Martin during the off-season – denied by the team – have fueled speculation.
As the sport braces for a transformative 2026 season with new engine regulations, Herbert sees a clear path for Verstappen to jump ship and chase further glory elsewhere.
Red Bull’s Risky Road Ahead
Herbert’s case begins with Red Bull’s uncertain future. After years of success with Honda, which powered Verstappen to all four of his titles, Red Bull is set to part ways with the Japanese manufacturer and produce its own powertrains in collaboration with Ford starting in 2026.
For a team stepping into the complex world of engine development for the first time, the challenge is daunting – especially when pitted against the decades of expertise held by rivals like Ferrari and Mercedes.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner talks with Jim Farley, CEO of Ford on the grid in Miami in 2024.
Herbert has apparently caught wind of turbulence in this transition, casting doubt on Red Bull’s ability to maintain its competitive edge.
“There’s rumours that it’s been tougher than they [Red Bull] ever expected and it hasn’t been as positive as they were expecting,” Herbert told CasinoApps.
“If all those elements aren’t working where he’s at present, as I’ve heard on the Ford front, and an opportunity came at Aston Martin, I would be shocked if Max wouldn’t bite and go for it,” he added.
Verstappen’s current contract runs until 2028, but this not a barrier according to Herbert.
“Christian has said Max is not going anywhere. I know he’s got the contract until 2028 but again contracts don’t mean anything if performance is not there.
“Champions I’ve known have always had a performance clause,” he said.
With such clauses likely embedded in Verstappen’s deal, Herbert believes the Dutchman could walk away if Red Bull fails to deliver a championship-caliber car – a scenario that seems increasingly plausible given the rumored struggles.
Aston Martin’s Allure: Newey, Honda, and Winning DNA
On the flip side, Aston Martin emerges as a tantalizing prospect, bolstered by the arrival this week of Adrian Newey as managing technical partner and an exclusive power unit partnership with Honda starting in 2026.
Newey, the aerodynamic genius behind Red Bull’s title-winning cars, and Honda, the engine supplier that propelled Verstappen to glory, represent a reunion of proven success. Herbert sees this as an irresistible draw for a driver of Verstappen’s caliber.
©AstonMartin
“That makes your decision much easier when you know that it’s not going quite to plan with the power unit itself, and then you know that the power unit that you were successful with is going to be at Aston Martin as well, along with Adrian Newey,” Herbert explained.
“It makes total sense. Max is no fool. Max is going to want to place himself in the best place that will give him that chance of winning races in a world championship.
“Because he knows very well that potentially, with Adrian and with the Honda, Aston Martin will be the place to be,” he said.
Read also: Horner finally bats away billion-dollar Verstappen buzz
For a driver whose career is defined by an unrelenting pursuit of victory, loyalty to Red Bull could take a backseat if Aston Martin emerges as a title contender.
“Would you give up the place to be just to stay at something that’s been good to you over the last couple of years? Racing drivers don’t work like that. Max doesn’t work like that,” Herbert emphasized.
“Max is there to win. And as he has said it’s all about winning. That’s exactly what he wants to do.”
The whispers of Red Bull’s power unit woes, contrasted with Aston Martin’s strategic hires and Honda’s pedigree, paint a compelling picture.
Herbert’s vision isn’t just about reviving past collaborations – it’s a calculated bet on where the next era’s dominance might lie.
As the 2025 season unfolds and the 2026 pecking order takes shape, Verstappen’s decision could redefine Formula 1’s landscape, proving once again that, in Herbert’s words, “Max is no fool.”
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