Verstappen to Mercedes or Aston Martin? 'I can see him joining that F1 team'

Verstappen and Red Bull were a pretty much unbeatable combination in 2023, but the picture is different in 2024. There is turmoil within the team, and a number of big names, including Adrian Newey, have announced their departure from the Austrian racing team in the past year. The three-time world champion does not currently have a winning F1 car, which is the most important requirement for him.

"I think this is the fantastic thing about Formula One. Anything’s possible," Mansell said in a conversation with Top Offshore Sportsbooks. "Max being the reigning World Champion and he’s got an unbelievable advantage to win another World Championship this year."

"And with all the things that have been happening with Red Bull you have got to take your hat off to Max that he’s kept his concentration. His car’s not as competitive as the others at the moment and he’s done some fantastic drives," the 1992 world champion continued.

Verstappen at Mercedes, Aston Martin or Red Bull after all?

Asked if he sees Verstappen going to Mercedes or Aston Martin in the future, Mansell said: "I think the merry go round he could be moving to Mercedes. But it’s going to be interesting and hopefully Red Bull will be able to keep him. I think he’s under contract anyway, but I know having been in Formula One, anything is possible".

Toto Wolff made no secret of it this year: since Lewis Hamilton's announced departure, the Mercedes team boss has been flirting with Verstappen. In the summer break, it became clear that that switch was not in the cards for the time being, and not much later, Andrea Kimi Antonelli was announced as George Russell's new teammate in 2025. Wolff did say he hoped to work with Verstappen in the future.

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton