Montoya Suggests Verstappen Could Switch to Aston Martin

Formula 1 News Recap: Steiner Calls Red Bull Driver Swap “Good for Everyone” | Special Livery for Red Bull in Suzuka | Hirakawa Replaces Doohan at Alpine

Montoya Predicts Verstappen’s Exit from Red Bull

Max Verstappen might not remain with Red Bull for long — at least that’s what former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes. According to Montoya, the reigning World Champion could leave the team if Red Bull fails to deliver a competitive car under the new regulations set to take effect in 2026.

Helmut Marko recently confirmed that Verstappen, like all top-tier drivers, has an exit clause in his contract — one that allows him to walk away if the team’s performance drops. And Montoya thinks that clause might come into play sooner than expected.

“If Red Bull struggles in the first year of the new rules, I wouldn’t be surprised if Max signs with another team by the third race,” Montoya told Vision4Sport, as reported by RacingNews365.

Pressed further, Montoya shared his ideal destination for the Dutch driver: “If I were Max, I’d go to Aston Martin. Mercedes would be cool too, but Aston makes more sense — mainly because of Adrian [Newey] and Honda. Everything he’s won with is already there.”

Could Aston Martin really become Verstappen’s new home, reuniting him with the key elements that brought him success at Red Bull? That remains to be seen, but speculation is growing.

Is Red Bull’s Championship Window Closing?

Despite Verstappen currently sitting second in the drivers’ standings after two races, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes Red Bull might be slipping out of the championship conversation — not just this season, but potentially for the years ahead.

“I think the team is facing a major internal challenge,” Schumacher said in the “Backstage Boxengasse” podcast by Sky. He pointed to recent personnel losses at Red Bull as a critical concern.

“They’ve lost so many great people,” Schumacher said. “And those types of experts aren’t just waiting around on the sidelines. It’s going to be a long and difficult process to find and train new talent to that level.”

Schumacher expressed doubt about the team’s ability to maintain its elite status. “I honestly can’t imagine how Red Bull intends to stay a top-tier team in Formula 1 in the coming years under these circumstances.”

Suzuka’s Physical and Technical Challenges

Suzuka Circuit remains one of the most demanding tracks on the Formula 1 calendar — both for drivers and their machines. Former F1 racer Pedro de la Rosa broke down what makes the Japanese Grand Prix so tough.

“The first half of the lap is physically exhausting,” said the Spaniard. “You barely touch the brakes. You’re constantly changing direction at high speed, which creates forces of up to 5 g. Plus, there’s elevation change and compression as you go uphill.”

According to de la Rosa, the second half of the lap is slightly easier on the driver — but not on the car. “In qualifying, you hardly use the brakes in the opening sector. So by the time you hit Turn 10, the hairpin, which is the first major braking zone, the brakes are ice cold.”

That’s why proper brake management is essential, especially in qualifying sessions. “Warming them up effectively before that point is crucial,” he added.

As Formula 1 heads into the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, all eyes are not only on lap times but also on the growing uncertainties surrounding Red Bull — and whether Max Verstappen’s future might lie elsewhere.