Mercedes Narrowly Edges Ferrari in Fan Poll on Verstappen's Future Destination

If Max Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull, F1 fans would rather see him join Mercedes than Ferrari — but Aston Martin is the dark horse, nearly doubling the support for a move to reigning constructors' champions McLaren.

Why it matters:

With Red Bull falling from its dominant perch and struggling to keep pace with Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, speculation around Verstappen's future has intensified. The four-time world champion's next move could reshape the sport's competitive balance for years.

The details:

• Mercedes leads: The most popular choice among fans, continuing the long-standing admiration from Toto Wolff, who missed out on Verstappen at the start of his career.
• Ferrari follows: Historically iconic, but slightly less favored than Mercedes in this poll.
• Aston Martin surge: Nearly double the percentage of respondents want Verstappen at Aston Martin compared to those favoring McLaren — surprising given McLaren's current top-team status.
• Reality check: The poll reflects fan sentiment, not any active negotiations. Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull through 2028.

What's next:

If Verstappen becomes available, he will not lack suitors. Mercedes and Ferrari are the traditional frontrunners, but Aston Martin's long-term project under Lawrence Stroll could be a compelling wildcard. For now, the Dutchman's focus remains on extracting performance from a struggling Red Bull RB20 and preparing for the 2026 regulation overhaul, which could level the playing field.