Max Verstappen backed to leave Red Bull in Lewis Hamilton comparison

Martin Brundle believes Max Verstappen will "do something fresh" and leave Red Bull for pastures new, if he can.

However, the former F1 driver-turned commentator was quick to highlight the Dutchman's dwindling options, with the only realistic alternatives "locked in" with their current driver line-ups.

The Briton used the four-time F1 drivers' champion's great adversary, Lewis Hamilton, as a point of reference to underline how some of his rivals have "reset" after an extended stay with one team.

Verstappen has been in the Red Bull family since he ascended to F1 in 2015, and has raced for the top team since early in the following season, when he took a memorable victory on debut for the Milton Keynes-based squad in the Spanish Grand Prix, just days after replacing Daniil Kvyat.

Although Brundle feels it may be time for him to seek out a "new challenge" elsewhere in the paddock. And, now that he cannot be within the top two in the drivers' championship by the summer break, he is able to trigger the exit clause in his Red Bull contract, despite there being two years left on his deal.

"I think if he could go, he will go at some point, whether it's 2027 or 2028, and do something fresh for him," Brundle said on Sky Sports F1.

"We see drivers do that. We saw Lewis Hamilton do that, for example, and get a reset and a new challenge after a very long time in a team."

With Red Bull no longer the force that helped deliver the 28-year-old to his quartet of crowns, despite the impressive start to its fledgling power unit project with Ford, speculation linking Verstappen to rival teams is rife.

But despite the rampant and persistent rumours, Mercedes is committed to keeping George Russell and Kimi Antonelli next year whilst McLaren has shut down the possibility of a swoop for the 71-time grand prix winner.

Ferrari, meanwhile, has just tied Charles Leclerc down on improved terms and Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he will also be racing for the Scuderia in 2027.

In Brundle's view, that leaves Verstappen with precious few options for the foreseeable future.

"He put some faith in the new Red Bull power unit, and it's proved to be a very good decision," the nine-time F1 podium finisher added.

"The problem Max has got is that there are only three teams he can look at – Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes – and they all seem very, very locked in to their current driver line-ups for at least 2027, and quite often, way beyond."