Verstappen tipped to leave Red Bull for major F1 rival

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has backed Max Verstappen to leave Red Bull at the end of 2026 and join rivals Mercedes. 

Verstappen has been linked several times with a move to the Silver Arrows ahead of when the new power unit regulations are introduced. 

Montoya, however, believes the four-time champion will start the new era of F1 with his current team Red Bull before moving if its package is uncompetitive. 

Red Bull is becoming a powertrain manufacturer for the new regulations, something it has never done in its history in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Many expect the Milton Keynes-based outfit to struggle initially, which Montoya feels will trigger Verstappen to depart.

“I think Max Verstappen will end up leaving in a couple of years," Montoya told Instant Casino. "He won’t leave the sport. It’s the ultimate. He’ll leave Red Bull.

“He doesn't have it that difficult. Yes, it's hard because he works really hard. He has a stable job. And he kind of controls a lot of what happens.

“The big question is, is Max willing to play it cool if '26 is bad? If Red Bull comes with the powertrains and it's not where it needs to be, is Max going to be happy running 10th? No."

In Montoya's eyes, an offer from Mercedes, if Red Bull struggles in 2026, would quickly be accepted. 

The Colombian believes Verstappen should already be looking at potential options, should Red Bull not give him a competitive package.

“Mercedes comes with an offer, he is going to jump ship straight away," asserted Montoya. "It's very easy to be loyal when you win races. If I were in his shoes, for sure I would be looking at that already.

“It would surprise me if he's not. Publicly he would say, ’No way,’ but internally I would be surprised if a conversation was not going on.”