Ex-F1 driver predicts likely Verstappen’s move that could shake up F1 grid

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show podcast, the 41-year-old expressed his belief that the four-time world champion would certainly be in the best car in 2027, though he acknowledged that which team that might be remains uncertain.

“Max Verstappen, I think, will be in the best car in 2027. Which one that will be, we don’t know yet – he doesn’t know yet,” Chandhok stated.

The former F1 driver continued by explaining that Verstappen is likely to use the first quarter of the 2026 season to carefully assess the grid and determine the best possible option before deciding by the summer.

"Every single team on that career path will open their arms and welcome him because, as we’ve all established, he is a top dog on the grid today,” he concluded.

Earlier in the 2025 season, Verstappen witnessed his future at the Red Bull Racing outfit clouded with uncertainty. The Dutch driver, however, put to rest the speculations surrounding his future, confirming to the media that he would continue with the Milton Keynes-based outfit for 2026 during the Hungarian GP.

Earlier, Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies admitted the Austrian outfit could struggle during the first months of the 2026 season. 

The 48-year-old stated the team opted to continue its development on its 2025 car, with the aim of identifying its major issues rather than switching early to the development of next season’s car.

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