Max Verstappen not ruling out sensational Ferrari F1 switch

Max Verstappen has failed to rule out a potential move to Ferrari before he hangs up his F1 racing helmet.

Verstappen's F1 future has been a consistent talking point this year, and the Dutchman was long linked with a move to Mercedes before confirming he would stay put at Red Bull for 2026.

With Lewis Hamilton contracted at Ferrari until the end of next year, it has been suggested the Italian squad could be a future destination for Verstappen.

While Verstappen stated a move for the 2026 campaign is not an option, the four-time champion did not rule out the possibility of a switch in the years to come.

“They have two drivers contracted for next year, so there is no discussion anyway,” Verstappen said, as quoted by motorsport.com. 

“Now, is there a chance? Yes, there are a lot of chances in life for any kind of decision.

"Of course, at the moment that is not on the horizon, but who knows? I don't even know how long I'm driving in Formula 1, so there are still a lot of unknowns for me.

"It's always very difficult to know what is going to happen, right?"

Ferrari is enduring a period of difficult form and has not claimed an F1 title since topping the constructors' championship in 2008.

The Italian squad is the most successful in the sport's history and is seen as a dream destination for many drivers due to its long history with F1.

Verstappen asserted that any such move to the team would only be carried out in the interest of performance.

“I think Ferrari is a massive brand,” he said. “All the drivers, they see and they picture themselves there, ‘I would like to drive for Ferrari.’ 

“But I think that's also where the mistake comes, just to drive for Ferrari.

“If I would ever want to go there, I don't go there just to drive for Ferrari, I go there because I see the opportunity to win.

“And if you win with Ferrari, that's even better. And that's I think where you shouldn't let yourself get guided just because of the emotions and passion of a brand, you need to go there because you feel that is the right place to go.”