Max Verstappen will see his biggest rival still driving around in a Mercedes this season, but in a year's time in the red Ferrari. Indeed, in the next mid-season, Lewis Hamilton will move to the Italian team. For the 2025 season, Mercedes is still looking for a driver alongside George Russell. Verstappen's name has already been dropped.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing's external advisor, revealed earlier that Toto Wolff does not need to make any effort to try to lure away the triple world champion. According to the Austrian, too much has happened between Verstappen and Mercedes in the past, leaving a lot of old pain with the Dutchman now. " That runs deep," Marko told OE24.

Marko expects Verstappen to stay until '28

Still, Formula 1 is Formula 1. Unlikely transfers or events have happened in the past. Even Wolff initially thought Hamilton was wedded to Mercedes, but the Austrian team boss does see him leaving for Ferrari. Max Verstappen is stuck with Red Bull Racing until 2028, who knows he might also want to seek refuge elsewhere at some point. " I rule that out, however," says Marko.

The same Verstappen has not (yet) publicly commented on Hamilton's transfer to Ferrari. Helmut Marko reveals what his driver's reaction was: "He just liked it."