Red Bull chiefs want to give Liam Lawson time to adjust after the Kiwi finished dead-last in Sprint Qualifying for the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix.

Lawson has had difficulty adjusting to the Red Bull RB21, suffering a Q1 exit and DNF at the season opener in Australia.

Another new circuit awaited the Kiwi this weekend in Shanghai with Lawson granted just one practice session to prepare ahead of Sprint Qualifying, where things unravelled once again.

While Max Verstappen wound up second in Friday’s session, Lawson was dumped out at the first hurdle, propping up the field in SQ1.

Four tenths off of the Dutchman in his first flying run, Lawson saw his second attempt struck from the timesheet after running wide at Turn 9.

Struggling to cool his Medium Pirelli rubber ahead of the blast, Lawson’s lap was fraught with low grip and he was seen grappling with his Red Bull RB21 before his untimely Sprint Qualifying exit.

“I went off, so yeah, it’s obviously a shame,” a downbeat Lawson said after SQ1. 

“I think from a starting point it wasn’t too bad, the first lap was alright, and then we were just looking to build on there. 

“But we stayed out to try to cool the tyres on track, and to be honest I really struggled to get the temps down starting the second lap.

“Basically we started too hot and then through the lap I just struggled. It’s frustrating.

“It’s really a shame because I think honestly, we started okay in Quali.

“The first lap wasn’t amazing but it was relatively okay, so it’s just a shame to be out for something so frustrating.

Given his team-mate qualified second, it’s no wonder Lawson believed “Our pace should be a lot further up than where we are.

“Obviously we have tomorrow’s sprint race to try and learn some stuff and then tomorrow’s quali as well, obviously. We want to do a better job on this.”

Marko and Horner taking pressure off of Lawson

The typically harsh Helmut Marko was more sympathetic to Lawson’s struggles when speaking with the Dutch arm of Motorsport.com.

“It’s sad, but he needs some laps and he must get in a rhythm to show his potential,” the Austrian said.

“I think we have to give him more time. Both circuits, he didn’t know, Melbourne and this one. 

“So we’re looking forward and of course first, next to Max, it looks also that our car is quite difficult to drive.”

Team Principal Christian Horner’s assessment of the Lawson situation was similar when approached to comment by Sky Sports‘ Martin Brundle ahead of Friday’s session.

“We’re only at race two,” Horner said. 

“It’s a circuit he’s never seen before. So I think we have to be fair and give him time. And he will he will get there. 

“But we just need to give him the back and give him time. And, you know, he’s in a highly pressured seat. And it doesn’t get any easier.”

Later in Friday’s press conference, Horner continued his Lawson analysis.

“I think Liam’s got a pretty sensible head on his shoulders,” Horner added. 

“It was a tough baptism for him [in Melbourne]. 

“He still came away with the second fastest race lap. And I just told him: “Ignore the naysayers, ignore social media, put your head down and you’ll be fine.” 

“He just needs a bit of time.”

Time is something Lawson has been granted by Red Bull and the crucial element he needs to find out on track.

READ MORE – Christian Horner highlights positive from incident-ridden Liam Lawson Red Bull F1 debut

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Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed the team plans to introduce upgrades to its 2025 Formula 1 car in the next “three to five races” in a bid to catch McLaren.

The sweeping consensus that McLaren would be leading the pack was realised as Lando Norris converted pole position at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen pushed Norris in the opening and closing stages, but those attacks sandwiched a spell where he dropped 14 seconds in 10 laps to the McLaren duo.

With Verstappen’s initial challenge wilting as his Intermediates degraded, Marko admitted that McLaren’s advantage lies in the MCL39 being more gentle on the tyres.

READ MORE – Red Bull highlights ‘quite strange’ McLaren advantage in F1 2025

However, Marko has divulged that Red Bull has developments in the pipeline tailored towards addressing the limitations that are behind the current deficit to McLaren.

“We knew from the tests in Bahrain that the McLarens were quite a bit faster than us,” Marko told Viaplay.

“We reduced this advantage, I would say, from half a second to two or three tenths.

“We can follow them for six to eight laps, but then our tyre degradation comes earlier.

“That’s the main problem, with some other problems as well.

“But we know them, and they are working hard. In three to five races hopefully we can cure it, so that we have a car on the same level as the McLaren.”

Red Bull has ‘good platform’ to develop in 2025

Red Bull harboured the dominant package under this rules period until a misstep in development in 2024 induced balance issues which allowed McLaren to eclipse it.

But Red Bull boss Christian Horner is optimistic the team has a strong base to improve the RB21 having eradicated the capricious traits embedded in its predecessor.

“We did some big set up changes in Bahrain [in pre-season testing],” Horner explained to media including Motorsport Week.

“So, we purposely wanted to go to extremes to understand the set up parameters, so that you’ve got your toolbox of knowledge when you go racing.

“I think the characteristics that this car has is much calmer than [the] RB20. I think actually it’s a platform to develop through the season.

“There’s not the nasty snaps that there was on [the] RB20.

“So that gives us a good dynamic platform for us to develop the car through the season. Through all the different races that we’re going to head to.”

READ MORE – Christian Horner highlights positive from incident-ridden Liam Lawson Red Bull F1 debut

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Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko branded Isack Hadjar’s tearful exit from the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix as “embarrassing.”

Hadjar was performing admirably throughout the Australian GP weekend, featuring in the top-10 during practice and narrowly missing out on a Q3 appearance on Saturday at the Albert Park circuit, qualifying 11th.

On Sunday, the rain came down hard and turned the Australian GP street venue into a treacherous arena of do-or-die F1 challenges that caught several drivers out.

Tragically for Hadjar, he lost control of his Racing Bulls machine on the formation lap at Turn 2 and his race was over before it began.

Hadjar, 20, was then seen on the world feed distraught as he returned to the paddock, tearful at his missed opportunity in his F1 debut.

Speaking to television broadcaster ORF, Marko said “Isack Hadjar did a little bit of crying after his crash. That was a bit embarrassing.”

Hadjar himself claimed embarrassment, not due to his reaction, but for the incident itself. 

“I feel embarrassed today, and I can only learn from my mistake and apologise to the team,” he said. 

“There were tricky conditions out there, and from the installation laps, I felt very low grip and poor confidence. In the formation lap, I tried to prepare the tyres as much as I could, but unfortunately, I had a spin and the car was unsavable; I just felt like a passenger before hitting the wall.”

Christian Horner rallies around Hadjar

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was less scathing in his assessment of Hadjar, offering words of support.

“It was quite heart-wrenching to see him so gutted,” he said sympathetically when talking to select media including Motorsport Week. 

“His first Grand Prix, I think the positives he needs to take out of it. 

“When he reflects on the weekend, he performed very well through the practices and the qualifying. 

“You forget that these guys are just kids, really. 

“Obviously a lot of emotion for him today, but I think when he strips it back, there’s an awful lot of positives he can take out of the weekend. 

“He’s got many bright days ahead of him.”

Hadjar was also seen being consoled by Anthony Hamilton, father of Lewis, in the paddock shortly after his error, a warm gesture of kindness.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Hamilton Sr said “When I saw it happen, my heart just sank for him.

“I just felt terrible for him, so I thought ‘you know what, I need to go and tell this kid keep your head high, walk tall, you’re gonna come back’.”

Luckily for Hadjar, he has little time to wait to put things right with the Chinese Grand Prix fast approaching this weekend.

READ MORE – Isack Hadjar Exclusive: F1 is ‘f***ing fast’ but I’m a fast learner

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Fernando Alonso stated that “facts” are stronger than Helmut Marko’s critique of Gabriel Bortoleto, who excelled during qualifying for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

Bortoleto is managed by Alonso’s A14 enterprise and the Brazilian arrives in F1 following back-to-back rookie title wins in Formula 3 and F2.

Despite this, Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko listed Bortoleto as a ‘B driver’ in conversation with Servus TV, but the Sauber driver did some talking on the track on Saturday.

Despite driving for the un-fancied Sauber squad, Bortoleto progressed to Q2 at the Albert Park circuit, at the expense of his highly-rated one-lap specialist team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, along with Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson.

Marko was comparing Bortoleto to his F2 title rival and Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, who he rated as an ‘A-level’ driver, but Alonso acknowledged that both are great talents, implying Marko’s judgement was flawed.

“I think Helmut has to defend his drivers,” the veteran Spaniard said. 

“I think the facts are a little bit stronger than Helmut’s words.

“I think maybe it refers to last year’s F2 [battle] with Isack and Gabriel. 

“They finished 1-2, they both have incredible talent, and they both are in F1, which is a great sign. Let’s see what the future brings.

“I hope for both to have a very long and successful career, but what Gabriel did, winning F3 and F2 in his rookie seasons… I think the future will tell, but I’m happy and proud of Gabriel.”

Bortoleto defiantly ready to prove Marko wrong

Bortoleto’s initial response to Marko’s comments on Thursday was that “nothing I say now in the media will change his mind, just my results on track.”

It’s a stance that the Brazilian respectfully reiterated this after qualifying on Saturday.

“Yeah, maybe he will check the lap timing today, but as I said before and I stick to the same, his opinion is not going to change my life, I will hopefully prove him wrong with time,” he said. 

“Maybe today was already a start of it and as I said before and I stick to the same, everyone can have opinions, headlines can be very tough and I’m sure I’m going to prove him wrong with time.”

Bortoleto was unable to progress beyond Q2, finishing 15th with a mistake costing him a higher place.

“I made a mistake in my lap, I tried a bit too hard on T4, ended up running a bit too much the kerb there and let’s say skateboarding a bit the car, initially was not even sure I could keep it still on track, was a bit too risky there,” he said. 

“I knew that to put the car maybe further away, maybe even in Q3 that was very tricky today because I don’t think we had the pace to, I needed to make a perfect lap that ended up as a no lap. 

“[I was] quite happy with Q1, still a solid result there and a solid first quali ever in my career in F1.”

READ MORE – Gabriel Bortoleto fires back at Helmut Marko criticism ahead of F1 debut

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Alpine racing driver Jack Doohan has avoided questions surrounding his future in Formula 1 amidst Helmut Marko’s latest brutal assessment of the rookie.

Marko ranked all of the ‘rookies’, including Doohan, in a recent interview with the Red Bull-owned television channel Servus TV.

The senior advisor for the Milton Keynes-based team believes the Australian is the weakest newcomer to F1, suggesting that Alpine may dismiss him before the end of the season.

“He is a ‘C’,” the Austrian replied when asked to grade the 22-year-old.

“I don’t think he will complete the season.”

This isn’t the first time Marko has expressed how he was left unimpressed with Doohan’s skills as a racing driver.

Back in January, he mentioned that he expected more from Doohan’s F1 debut in Abu Dhabi.

The former Formula 2 graduate has faced questions about his future throughout the off-season, even though he has yet to compete in a Grand Prix in 2025.

Franco Colapinto was signed to Alpine as its reserve driver at the start of the year, with reports suggesting he could replace Doohan during the season.

Team supervisor Flavio Briatore insisted that the Enstone-based squad would stick with the Aussie for the start of the season, but he added: “After that, we will see.”

In response to the outside noise, Doohan said how he chooses to ignore the paddock gossip, ahead of his home race – the Australian Grand Prix.

“I haven’t been thinking about any of that because, as you all know, there’s no point thinking about rumours or commenting on them,” he told media including Motorsport Week.

“But I have a contract for at least this year, if not more.

“So, I look forward to many home grands prix.”

Doohan: ‘I’m going to enjoy every race as if it’s my last’

The Gold Coast-born racing driver went on to point out how he has four drivers after his seat on the grid, as Alpine recently hired Kush Maini to its reserve drivers list alongside Colapinto, Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa.

But whilst there is more competition for Doohan, he insists that his focus remains on enjoying every second of his time in the Alpine car.

“And the uncertainties? You don’t bother worrying about them,” he added.

“I have to perform each and every time I’m in the car.

“I have one guy chasing my seat, but we actually have four now, if you didn’t realise, we have four reserves.

“You have all four of them, not just Franco, [who] probably wants my seat and if not, Pierre’s [Gasly] as well.

“And I wanted their seats while I was reserve driver the last two years.

“So, I’m going to enjoy, to be honest, every race as if it’s my last because I want to enjoy each and every moment I’m in the car.”

READ MORE: Franco Colapinto’s manager condemns Jack Doohan ‘abuse’ as Alpine rumours swirl

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Sauber Formula 1 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto has hit back at criticism made by Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko ahead of his debut at the Australian Grand Prix.

Bortoleto joins Sauber having stamped his name in the record books as a back-to-back rookie champion in Formula 3 and 2.

Still, despite the Brazilian showing championship winning pedigree, Marko has made scathing comments about the Sauber debutante. 

Marko rated Bortoleto as a “B driver’ in conversation with Servus TV, praising the Brazilian’s intelligence but casting doubts over his raw speed.

Naturally then, Bortoleto was quizzed on those remarks during his first media day as an F1 driver down under in Melbourne, Australia and he was defiant.

“I don’t care,” he began, telling select media including Motorsport Week “I’ve seen that and I love challenges. 

“Hearing that from Helmut, he’s a guy who has put a lot of talent in Formula 1 and has put a lot of wrong talents in F1. 

“So you can see he got it right and wrong and hopefully I will prove him wrong with the time. 

“But nothing I say now in the media will change his mind, just my results on track. 

“I’m sure I’ll prove him wrong at some point and hopefully he will admit this when I prove him wrong. 

“For now I’m just focussing on doing my job and improving and doing the best I can.”

Bortoleto concluded his defiant response by saying his title victories in the junior categories meant he’s beaten several of Marko’s Red Bull junior prospects. 

“I’m proud of what I did in the junior series and I won in F2 and F3 against the Red Bull drivers he has, so good for me,” the Sauber driver retorted.

Alonso: Bortoleto is ‘the best’ of F1’s rookies

Two drivers in the F1 paddock are well aware of what Bortoleto can bring to the table and those are his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg and manager Fernando Alonso.

“I think we get on really well – he’s a really nice guy, a smart kid, fast as hell,” Hulkenberg said, reflecting on pre-season testing.

“He learns really quickly. He did his first race sim here [Bahrain] at the test, so I look forward to work alongside him.”

Bortoleto is represented by Alonso’s A14 Management group and the veteran Spaniard has always been glowing in his praise of the young charger, citing his “dedication” and classing him the top talent among F1’s five rookies.

“His dedication and his professionalism towards racing has been probably the most impressive thing,” Alonso said.

“Since day one he was very committed to work hard for his dreams and already in Formula Regional Europe but then in Formula 3 and then Formula 2, each race was very well prepared and a very mature approach.

“He deserves to be in Formula 1 and hopefully a long career here and successful.

“He has been the best rookie of this next generation. We see so many rookies into F1 this year and he has been the best of them.

“Maybe he hasn’t had the car at the moment to match their results the first year but hopefully people don’t forget what he did in the last two.”

READ MORE – Nico Hulkenberg expecting test from ‘fast as hell’ Sauber F1 team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto

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Helmut Marko believes Red Bull can depend on McLaren’s in-fighting or its “joker” card, Max Verstappen, to take both Formula 1 titles in 2025.

The British squad claimed its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 last year, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri led the Papaya revival.

However, the duo failed to dethrone Verstappen as he secured his fourth consecutive title after the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Squabbles over team orders made the headlines for the team in Hungary and Monza, as McLaren eventually declared it would prioritise Norris for his title fight against Verstappen.

Yet, it seemed the Woking-based outfit acted too late as the Briton was unable to catch the Dutchman.

McLaren and Norris are the favourites to be crowned champions in 2025, but Marko feels Piastri can be a nuisance and challenge his team-mate.

The Austrian is counting on the pair getting in each other’s way, leaving Red Bull to sweep in and collect the points.

“I rate Piastri as strong, and so I hope that they keep points away from each other, which we can take advantage of,” Marko told sport.de.

“Max is clearly our number one, and I don’t think Piastri will voluntarily declare himself [the] second driver.

“At some circuits [last year] he was just as fast, if not faster than Lando.”

But if the Milton Keynes-based squad struggles with car performance, Marko will be counting on Verstappen to drag the team along yet again.

“If the car is not optimal, we always have the joker, Max, who can put his brilliance on display,” he said.

Red Bull playing catch-up ahead of F1 2025 season

In the same interview, the 81-year-old spoke about his thoughts on the RB21 ahead of the upcoming F1 campaign.

After pre-season testing in Bahrain, he felt its rivals already had a “head start”.

“In my opinion, it will be a three-way or four-way battle between McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and us,” Marko added.

“Although, if you look at the test results, McLaren already has a head start.

“That was the case in both the short and long runs.

“The current favourite is clearly McLaren.”

Red Bull capitalised on a good start in 2024 to help give Verstappen the early advantage on his way to winning the F1 championship.

McLaren’s mid-season charge was not enough to overturn the damage done by the 27-year-old in the first 10 races.

So, coming out of the blocks early will be key to the success of the team as it hunts for a double in 2025.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, however, downplayed its chances after stating its impressive long-run pace wouldn’t necessarily translate to the other circuits.

READ MORE: Helmut Marko reveals the gap Red Bull must close to McLaren

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Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that testing has indicated the team will be “two to three-tenths” behind McLaren at the beginning of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The general consensus within the paddock is that McLaren is heading into the season-opening race in Australia next week with the squad’s MCL39 as the benchmark package.

McLaren was situated behind its immediate rivals on the overall timesheets, but Lando Norris’ impressive race simulation saw the reigning champions be touted as favourites.

Meanwhile, Red Bull conceded that it hadn’t taken as big a step as it had hoped, even though it is optimistic that it has addressed the issues it endured in 2024 with the RB21.

But although he believes Red Bull will still be involved in the tight battle at the sharp end, Marko has acknowledged that the initial advantage is poised to reside with McLaren. 

“In my opinion, it will be a three-way or four-way battle between McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and us,” Marko told Sport.de.

“Although, if you look at the test results, McLaren already has a head start. That was the case in both the short and long runs. The current favourite is clearly McLaren.”

The lead caveat to Norris’ headline race run was that it occurred in abnormal temperatures in comparison to what can be expected when the teams return to Bahrain.

However, Marko has highlighted that the Woking-based squad still harboured an edge over the competition when conditions were more representative on the final day.

Asked how big he believes Red Bull’s gap to McLaren is, Marko replied: “It’s hard to say exactly what that looks like, because the weather conditions were completely out of the norm.

“It was cold, there was strong wind. It was even raining. It was only the case on Wednesday, when we were on a par with McLaren.

“But on Friday, the last day, I would say that we were still two to three-tenths behind in the long run.

“What’s more, McLaren’s tyre wear was also significantly better than our data indicated. McLaren is the favourite everywhere with this car.”

Verstappen not expecting winning Red Bull start

Max Verstappen, chasing a fifth successive title, implied that he isn’t expecting Red Bull to be in contention to prevail at Albert Park, where he was victorious in 2023.

“It was what I kind of expected, we just keep on working and trying to improve,” the Dutchman addressed. 

“Hopefully we will be ready for Melbourne, learn a bit more, and see where we are at. 

“I do not expect us to be the fastest at all, but at the same time, it is very difficult to tell where everyone’s pace is. There is some work to do for us.”

READ MORE – Red Bull names two rivals the team is behind going into F1 2025

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Red Bull Formula 1 advisor Helmut Marko has conceded Max Verstappen will have “no reason” to remain with the team should it not give him a competitive package in 2025.

Verstappen took his fourth consecutive title last season and has a deal with Red Bull through 2028, but that hasn’t dispelled rumours linking him with a move elsewhere.

Red Bull’s on-track decline as the campaign progressed, coupled with turmoil behind the scenes, has prompted repeated reports that Verstappen could decide to leave the team.

Mercedes has held a long-standing interest in the Dutchman’s coveted services, while Aston Martin has also been touted as a viable destination should he court a switch.

But while he’s insisted Verstappen will be at Red Bull in 2025, Marko has accepted there are no guarantees unless Red Bull builds a championship-challenging car this season.

Marko has stated that essential to Red Bull delivering on that target will be providing Verstappen with an RB21 that is consistent on all circuits compared to its predecessor. 

“We have to provide him with a car with which he is able to win under his own steam,” Marko admitted to F1-Insider. 

“It can be one to two tenths of a second slower than others, but unlike last year’s car, it has to be competitive throughout the season and on every track.

“If we don’t succeed, there is no reason for Max to stay with us. You have to be realistic about that.”

Verstappen’s future dependent on Red Bull level

Marko’s admission comes as Verstappen’s father Jos has claimed that his son honouring his contract with Red Bull will be dependent on how competitive the team is.

“He can stay with Red Bull if he sees a point to it,” he said. “His goal is still to be able to win races.

“If he feels that this is no longer possible at Red Bull, a move is not out of the question.

Mercedes not ruling out Verstappen swoop

Verstappen Sr is well-known to share a cordial relationship with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who has been vocal about his desire to acquire the reigning F1 champion.

Wolff revealed that discussions with Verstappen’s camp took place last summer, but those talks didn’t materialise into him replacing the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton. 

However, the Austrian, who promoted Andrea Kimi Antonelli to partner George Russell instead, hasn’t ruled out reigniting his interest in Verstappen at some stage. 

“What I like with Max, Raymond [Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager] and Jos is that we talk straight,” Wolff told Motorsport.com in 2024. “We don’t need to push each other.

“We have been in this too long; we’ve taken the decision for drivers for next year.  This is what our full effort is going into. 

“Hopefully that’s going to be the line-up for 2026 and beyond. But that doesn’t close the door on Max being with us in ’26 or beyond, because we want to still keep all the options open in the same way he does. So what I enjoyed in our conversations  is there is never a hidden agenda.”

READ MORE – Max Verstappen reveals aspect that will aid Red Bull’s 2025 F1 title prospects

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Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has insisted Max Verstappen will remain with the team in Formula 1 in 2026, despite recent rumours linking him with Aston Martin or Mercedes.

Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull through 2028 and won his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship with the side last season with two rounds remaining.

However, the turbulence that overshadowed Verstappen’s dominant start to the season prompted speculation that he could be persuaded to leave Red Bull for a rival team.

An investigation into Christian Horner’s conduct dominated the headlines instead, with Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, insisting the long-time Red Bull boss must step down. 

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff strived to capitalise on the upheaval with repeated vows about his interest in Verstappen amid Lewis Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari.

Wolff revealed that talks with Verstappen’s camp had concluded with an agreement that he would be at Red Bull in 2025, but he issued his belief that their “paths will cross”.

Marko, though, is optimistic that Red Bull will overcome the issues that blighted its on-track competitiveness in 2024 to ensure the Dutchman has no reason to look elsewhere.

“I don’t comment on the content of the contract, but in any case, we are confident that we can provide Max with a good car,” Marko told Sport Bild.

“Our engineers have made good progress with the data. We are optimistic.”

When asked about Mercedes courting Verstappen, the Austrian added: “That’s all well and good, but Max has a contract with us until the end of 2028.

“Especially because I know how loyal and grateful he is to Red Bull.

That is why he will also be a Red Bull driver in 2026, and as a five-time World Champion.”

How F1’s reset will have a bearing on Verstappen’s plans

Marko’s latest dismissal towards a possible Verstappen exit comes amid a report that he harbours a desire to be with a Mercedes-powered team for the rules change in 2026.

The overhaul will see wholesale tweaks to the chassis and engine regulations, with the latter to comprise an almost 50/50 split between combustion and electrical power.

There have been whispers that Mercedes has stolen a march on the competition with work on the next-generation powertrains, which will also be run on sustainable fuels.

It has been reported that senior Mercedes personnel retain the “same feeling” about the venture as it did in the lead-up to the 2014 reset that culminated in eight straight titles.

Meanwhile, there is scepticism surrounding Red Bull’s prospects with the nascent engine build that it is developing in collaboration with American giant Ford.

According to Motorsport.com’s Italian publication, Verstappen believes the German marque will once again have the benchmark engine package next season.

The report proceeds to state that the reigning champion is “keen” to have Mercedes power at his disposal in 2026 as he strives to sustain his recent F1 success.

McLaren proved that it could beat the works team last season with the same engine as it won the Constructors’ Championship, while Mercedes slipped two spots to fourth.

However, the Woking-based squad has Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked down, which is also the case at Mercedes customer teams Aston Martin and Williams.

Mercedes is poised to be Verstappen’s sole chance at getting his purported wish, with the incumbent George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli not tied to deals past 2025.

Verstappen to Aston Martin speculation

But even Verstappen continuing with Red Bull in 2026 will not end speculation about his whereabouts as Aston Martin has been said to be interested in his coveted services.

The Silverstone-based squad could have an opening in 2027 as Fernando Alonso, who turns 44 in July, has indicated that he is treating next season as his last in the sport.

Aston Martin denied a recent report that alleged it was telling prospective sponsors that it was going to land Verstappen in a deal that could total an eventual £1 billion.

Still, Horner admitted last season that Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull does include exit clauses that are related to how competitive a car that it provides him with.

Red Bull is endeavouring to reclaim its position at the top during the last season with the current cars, having dropped behind McLaren and Ferrari to third in 2024.

READ MORE – Aston Martin pursuing Max Verstappen appears inevitable despite denial over bid

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