The F1 star pilot would be closer and closer to a Departure from Redbull according to information from the Italian press. Max Verstappen is announced at Alpine.
Max Verstappen, the quadruple Formula 1 world champion, lives his last season on the side of Redbull? For more than a year, rumors of a departure from the Dutch because of a less efficient car and a relationship not necessarily in good fixed with the boss, Christian Horner, have agitated the Paddock of F1. And this Thursday, the Gazetta announces it: “Max made its choice” and would plan to drive for another team.
Several stables could accommodate the World Formula 1 world champion and in particular the French team, Alpine. A choice that could be credible because the change in regulations of 2026 will redistribute the cards. If for the moment the stable, formerly Renault, is in the middle of the peloton, the announcement of the arrival of the Mercedes engine in 2026 could increase the ladder to the whole team.
And some pilots already evoke this change, such as the current Williams Pilot Carlos Sainz, amazed at the performances of the stable in the turns during the last GP (at the same height as McLaren, the best current stable). “If you put them on a Merc engine or a Ferrari engine, you have a car that is on the front line,” he said after the race.
Flavio Briatore the X factor?
Has Max Verstappen flair the right blow? If the car is not necessarily in pole position to accommodate a pilot of the Verstappen, a man made of lobbying, Flavio Briatore. The iconic character in Formula 1 (Renault leader during the titles of Fernando Alonso) could convince the Dutch. An idea far from eccentric as explained by the former driver, Ralf Schumacher, on German television.
“Flavio Briatore is very strong to go to talent fishing. He chose Mercedes engines for his team next year, and in the meantime, watch Pierre Gasly [à Bahreïn] last weekend “(Departure 4th, arrived 7th).
Another argument, since the start of the season, we have been talking more about a replacement for Jack Doohan (driver No. 2 which was on the hot seat before even starting the season) than its performances. If Alpine wants to play the leading roles, the businessman will certainly seek a world top class pilot and not necessarily the reserves pilots like Franco Colapinto or Paul Aron.
Mercedes and Aston Martin attentive
Seeing Verstappen at Alpine is therefore possible and even credible, but two stables still seem to have one step ahead: Mercedes and Aston Martin. For the first named, the departure of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari caused a hole, partially filled by George Russell, but not completely. And Toto Wolf, boss of the German stable, never denied his wish to attract Max.
Problem, Verstappen and Russell do not get along so the Briton would be put to the door to attract Dutch? Not on because rumors speak of an extension of the pilot flanked by number 63 after his start to the season. So, it would remain the Aston Martin option with their new genius designer, Adrian Newey (who was at Redbull before), and his important financial trick to attract Dutch.
