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.”
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Roger Norman
Mercedes has a history of building very good PUs, and Red Bull has no history. Max know how fast it can go south. They no longer have Newey to tweak the aero package. Max also knows Christian Horner has a big ego, and he loves to take credit for things he doesn't deserve credit for.
flash
Dont think their record is anything to shout about- It not all about the PU.
Roger Norman
They have ten f1 championship, including 1954 and 1955. They've won 129 races and 298 podiums. I would certainly "shout about" that.
flash
More gossip !! perhaps we can get Jolian Parmer to verify it !!
Robson Coimbra
Annoying and despicable conversation, what is the interest in the opinion of a guy who doesn't live F1, talking about the future is impossible and he is also not close friends with Max to know what is going on in his head. Red Bull can surprise and it seems that the PU will have little influence on the performance of the cars from 26, we will have complex aerodynamics and never tried before.
Keith Ashman
The 10 championships speak alone. The man assisting that success was Horner give him credit fir doing a damned good job. Despite attempting to trash him as Jos V does on his regular street fighting campaign, Horner still will hold the team as his first responsibility. Should Max leave to Mercedes, so be it. It would be a tough relationship for Toto to manage and despite their friendly association, Jos and Toto will find it tough if Jos continues his controversial methods.
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Michel Saelen
Very trough Keith, i can't get it why so many need to trash Horner its because of his managementship RBR won those championships and of course with the drivers SEB and MAX if they had some one as the abrasive former Haas guy they would not have won a single World championship. If Max leaves ( i am Max Fan) it doesn't spell the end of RBR
flash
@Roger Norman-, Talking about current record.
Sundance98
*Max needs to stay with Christian. Toto is not the ticket. If Max decides to retire that would be the perfect answer if RB is not going to be in the running for the top three next year.