Max Verstappen is widely considered the dominant force in Formula 1 today, showcasing an exceptional talent that has distinguished him as a three-time world champion. However, French motorsport driver Sacha Fenestraz has sparked controversy by suggesting his former Formula E teammate Oliver Rowland could surpass Verstappen if given the opportunity in F1.
Rowland, an experienced British driver who races in Formula E for Nissan, has an impressive career trajectory. Having started out in karting and progressed through the ranks of single-seater championships, Rowland won the Formula Renault 3.5 series title in 2015 and went on to shine in GP2 and Formula E, where he earned the Rookie of the Year award. With several podiums under his belt, the 32-year-old has proven his racing skills.
Fenestraz’s bold statement that Rowland’s abilities are comparable to Verstappen’s is attracting attention. He revealed that Verstappen himself has expressed regret over Rowland not racing in F1, saying the British driver could overshadow him in the sport’s elite category. “He is very good friends with Verstappen, and this year Verstappen was telling Oliver that it’s a shame he’s not in Formula 1 because he would overshadow him,” Fenestraz said.
Meanwhile, rumors are swirling around Verstappen’s future in F1. Speculation suggests the Dutch driver could move from Red Bull to Mercedes in 2026, thanks to an exit clause in his contract allowing him to leave if the team fails to deliver a car capable of winning races. Despite the appeal of a new challenge, Verstappen has stressed his preference for stability rather than frequent team changes, a philosophy contrasting with some of F1’s top drivers who have changed teams several times.
“I have been part of this team for a long time. Ultimately, every driver in the paddock wants to win. It’s very easy to change teams, but I don’t want my career to be marked that way. I don’t want to be part of four or five different teams,” Verstappen said, emphasizing his commitment to Red Bull, where he has established a strong relationship since joining in 2016.
With just six races remaining in the 2024 Formula 1 season, Verstappen has a 52-point lead over Lando Norris in the championship race. Mercedes has already locked down its driver line-up for 2025, making it increasingly likely that Verstappen will stay with Red Bull next year as he targets another world title.
