After the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, it is clear that McLaren is well ahead of the rest of the grid. Their only competition – Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. This competition will undoubtedly spark some tense rivalry between the 2 teams. But there is no love lost between Zak Brown and Christian Horner as tensions between them started last year.
Last year, there were several rumours suggesting that Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull Racing to drive for Mercedes or Aston Martin. Despite Toto Wolff trying to lure the Dutch driver, Max decided to stick with Red Bull for the foreseeable future. Now, Zak Brown is looking to spark those rumours once again with his bold prediction.
Zak Brown makes bold Max Verstappen prediction
Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Zak Brown suggested that Verstappen will not see his contract through with Red Bull.
“I think he’ll leave at the end of this year,” Brown told Tom Cary of The Telegraph.
“Most likely to Merc. There’s been talk of Aston Martin, too, with Adrian Newey joining. But as great as Adrian is – and he’s the greatest ever – you need a whole team around you. You need the culture. That takes time. If I was betting, I’d bet on Merc.”
Helmut Marko Hints at Big Red Bull Upgrade After Poor Pace at Australian GP
Red Bull has been on a downward trajectory since the start of the 2024 season. After a dominant 2023 season, they finished only 3rd in the Constructors’ Championship, and could once again suffer the same result unless they do something to develop the RB21. With Adrain Newey out of the team and working with Aston Martin, Red Bull will have a hard time trying to get back on top.
In addition to their problems, there is also some uncertainty regarding their 2026 power unit. After this year, Honda will no longer be supplying power units for Red Bull. Instead, it would be Ford powering the Austrian team and its sister team, VCARB. There is a lot of doubt about Ford being able to develop a strong power unit for the team.
According to Zak Brown, these performance concerns will drive Max out of Red Bull Racing after this year.
Is Zak Brown just stirring the pot to distract Red Bull?
It is well known that Max Verstappen has a contract to drive for Red Bull until the 2028 season. Although there are clauses and exit options that Max can use to find a way out of the contract, it seems unlikely as Red Bull is still able to provide Max with a decent car.
Last year, the rumours had some foundation as there were conversations happening between Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen’s team. But these conversations did not lead anywhere and Mercedes has moved on.
The Silver Arrows have chosen George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as their drivers for the foreseeable future. Russell has been showing some impressive performances last year and seems to be building on that this year as well after finishing 4th in Melbourne. His rookie teammate, Kimi Antonelli had a poor qualifying at Melbourne, but more than impressed fans and his team by recovering to P5 in the race. These results have put Mercedes 2nd in the Constructors’ Championship, ahead of Red Bull.
With Mercedes happy with their driver lineup, it is unlikely that they will once again pursue Max Verstappen. If it didn’t happen last year, it is unlikely that it will happen at all as they have a young and talented lineup now.
What do you think of Zak Brown’s comments on Max Verstappen’s future? Is he just trying to stir the pot or does he know something we don’t?
