Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes Max Verstappen moving to Ferrari would be a career killer for the Dutchman.
The four-time F1 drivers' champion is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but has been closely linked with a move away from the Milton Keynes team.
Although most speculation has centred on Mercedes and Aston Martin, he could find himself on Ferrari's radar for 2027, if Lewis Hamilton does not pick up his option with the Italian team for a third season in red.
If the Scuderia starts the next F1 regulations cycle well, a switch to Maranello could be an attractive proposition to Verstappen.
However, Ecclestone has implored him not to consider joining the Prancing Horse.
"If he goes to Ferrari, that would be the end of his career," the 94-year-old told Sport.de. "Let's hope that doesn't happen."
The British business magnate feels Verstappen possesses enough ability to turn a good situation into a winning one, adding: "He can always turn a good team into a winning team."
Hamilton has struggled since joining the Scuderia, and Ecclestone has been vocal with his opinion on the matter. He is adamant that now is the time for the seven-time F1 drivers' champion to step away from the series, and appears concerned that Verstappen would befall a similar fate at Ferrari.
Instead, he would like to see the team opt for an exciting youthful talent, but interestingly did not mention Haas driver Ollie Bearman, who was a member of the Ferrari driver academy and is widely considered next in line.
Ecclestone prefers fellow F1 rookies Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar, both of whom have heavily impressed over the first 14 rounds of the campaign.
"You have to choose an up-and-coming driver," he explained when addressing potential future team-mates for Charles Leclerc.
"I would take the Brazilian Bortoleto, who I think will be very good, or Isack Hadjar.
"Bortoleto will do the job. Put him in the right car and you'll see."
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