Max Verstappen at Scuderia Ferrari? Informal discussions" have taken place

Rumors of a rapprochement between Max Verstappen and Ferrari have resurfaced. Already mentioned in April 2025But it resurfaced last weekend in Zandvoort, after Jos Verstappen, father and advisor to the three-time world champion, confided in him.

Ferrari in Verstappen's sights

Although Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2026, he recently admitted that his future from 2027 remains "to be decided". Until now, Mercedes seemed the most credible option in the event of a departure, but Ferrari now appears to be a serious possibility.

Jos Verstappen confirmed that he had had "informal discussions" with members of the Scuderia management team, perhaps even John Elkann or Piero Ferrari. Nothing concrete yet, but enough to revive speculation.

Contract headaches

The problem for Scuderia Ferrari is simple: its two drivers are already firmly established. Charles Leclerc extended his contract in March 2025 for the "long term". Without an official term, it's likely that his contract will run until at least 2027, if not 2029. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, has just arrived in 2025 with a "multi-year" contract, which many believe will run until the end of 2027.

Against this backdrop, it's hard to imagine Verstappen arriving in 2027 without a surprise departure from Hamilton. A hypothesis not entirely ruled out if the 2026 results are as disappointing as those of 2025, but one that remains highly speculative.

2028, the real window?

A more realistic scenario would be from 2028 onwards, when both Ferrari bays could be available. Verstappen would then have the opportunity to join the Scuderia in a renewed project, provided his interest in F1 doesn't wane by then.

Indeed, the Dutchman has never hidden his aversion to the "circus" of the discipline, and is already interested in other horizons, such as GT3 endurance racing. He's even said to have taken steps to race on the legendary Nordschleife.

For the time being, these discussions seem more like a temperature check than a concrete project. But they do bear witness to one reality: Verstappen and his entourage are already looking beyond Red Bull.
Whether it's a way of putting pressure on his current team, exploring a plan B in the event of failure in 2026, or a genuine interest in Ferrari, this rumor illustrates just how much the Dutch champion's future could reshuffle the cards in the transfer market.