Ex-F1 boss Ecclestone urges Verstappen to join Ferrari

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has urged Max Verstappen to join Ferrari, claiming the four-time champion's talent is more valuable than any car upgrade. Speaking at the Austrian Grand Prix, the 95-year-old revealed he advised Verstappen to move to Maranello last year.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's future dominates paddock chatter amid McLaren rumors, Red Bull uncertainty, and his public frustration with the 2026 regulations. Ecclestone's intervention carries real weight given his decades shaping the sport, and his Ferrari endorsement reinforces the idea that the Scuderia may be Verstappen's strongest alternative outside Milton Keynes.

The details:

• The pitch: Ecclestone said he would sign Verstappen "at whatever cost" because a world-class driver is cheaper than trying to improve the car itself.
• Ferrari move: He disclosed advising Verstappen to switch to Ferrari last year, believing Maranello offers the best stage for the Dutchman's abilities.
• Horner link: Ecclestone also revealed he previously urged former Red Bull boss Christian Horner—ousted almost exactly a year ago and absent from the paddock since—to pursue a role at Ferrari, though admitted he has "no idea" where Horner ends up.
• Verstappen's options: Reports place the Dutchman at a crossroads between a McLaren switch, another season with Red Bull, or even a full F1 exit driven by his disdain for the 2026 ruleset.

Between the lines:

Ecclestone's remarks reflect a growing belief that Red Bull's dominance is no longer guaranteed, making rival opportunities more appealing. His parallel lobbying of both Verstappen and Horner suggests he sees Ferrari as F1's most stable long-term force—a notable shift from his historically combative relationship with the Italian team during his reign.