Max Verstappen could trigger a chain reaction of surprising driver moves in 2025 if he decides to leave Red Bull for pastures new. The Dutchman recently stopped short of ruling out a move elsewhere, which could throw the grid into disarray with a majority of drivers out of contract at the end of this year. Express Sport looks at how the F1 grid could shape up in 2025 if Verstappen walks away from Red Bull…
With Lewis Hamilton expected to join from Mercedes and Charles Leclerc having recently signed a long-term contract extension, Ferrari already has their drivers locked down for 2025. But, the Italian team might be tempted to consider the possibility of adding Verstappen to the team should he become available. Given the investment Ferrari has made in Leclerc over the last few years, such a move would almost certainly be a non-starter, but stranger things have happened.
A move elsewhere for Verstappen would leave Red Bull needing to sign not one, but two new drivers ahead of next season. Fernando Alonso would be the perfect choice to succeed the Dutchman, having shown that he remains more than capable of fighting at the front of the grid, while Leclerc could be a surprise option if he is somehow pushed out of Ferrari. Red Bull would then have to decide whether to keep Sergio Perez or replace him with another driver. If they choose the latter, there are few better equipped than Alex Albon given his form at Williams since joining the team last year.
Since George Russell, 26, is expected to take over as the team’s new captain in Hamilton’s absence, it is already certain that the 26-year-old will remain at Mercedes. Verstappen has been linked to the Silver Arrows, which seems far more plausible than him joining Ferrari considering Leclerc’s long-term commitment.Another option for Mercedes would be Kimi Antonelli, who has been hailed as one of the best young drivers outside F1 and is rated very highly by Toto Wolff.