• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Fans convinced Max Verstappen revealed next F1 move amid 'secret message' at Japanese GP

Home> F1

Published 12:51 4 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Fans convinced Max Verstappen revealed next F1 move amid 'secret message' at Japanese GP

Uncertainty has been growing in recent weeks over Verstappen's future.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

F1 fans think Max Verstappen may have secretly revealed his next move before this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

Speculation has been growing over Verstappen's future at Red Bull in recent weeks, with their 2025 car not as quick as the McLaren or, in certain conditions, the Ferrari.

The Dutchman is second in the Drivers' Championship after a second-placed finish in the wet Australian Grand Prix, but a fourth place in the dry in China appeared to be a better representation of the car's true pace.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed last month (via RacingNews365) that Verstappen has a clause contained within his contract that can be activated 'if performance is not good'. The exact criteria for that clause to be triggered has not been detailed.

Advert

The four-time F1 Drivers' Champion has been linked with moves to Aston Martin and Mercedes.

Merc team principal Toto Wolff revealed that he held talks with Verstappen's representatives last season as he looked for a driver to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

And Aston Martin has emerged as another option, with former Red Bull design supremo Adrian Newey having joined the team this year. He will lead the charge in designing his new team's 2026 challenger, which is hoped to be quick enough to compete for race wins and potentially world championships.

Speaking ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Verstappen was asked whether the race would be his last in a Honda-powered car in Japan.

Advert

Honda are currently Red Bull's engine supplier but, crucially, will no longer supply engines through the Red Bull Powertrains programme beyond 2025.

And having previously pulled out of F1 in 2021, the Japanese manufacturer will make a return to the sport in 2026 - by partnering with Aston Martin.

After being asked the question, Verstappen remained briefly silent before replying: "You're putting words into my mouth!"

Image: Twitter/@jucerasoli
Image: Twitter/@jucerasoli

Advert

The reporter later clarified that Verstappen initially thought the question related to the partnership between Red Bull and Honda, and only realised the Aston Martin reference while he was answering - prompting laughter from the press room.

But during a demonstration event in Tokyo earlier this week, the Dutchman again referenced the end of Red Bull's relationship with Honda - and added in a telling comment at the end.

Image: Twitter/@Max33Verstappen
Image: Twitter/@Max33Verstappen

"I want to try and just enjoy the weekend," he began. "Try to go as fast as you can.

Advert

"But it's more about also just remembering all that we have achieved together in the sport and who knows, of course, in the future as well?

"You know what can be done. So it's like a goodbye for now, but that's it. I'm still quite young, and you never know what happens in the future."

Which F1 team do you think Max Verstappen will drive for in 2026? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Featured Image Credit: Formula 1

Topics: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Formula 1

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Fans think Max Verstappen has decided on his F1 future as damning team radio message emerges after Austrian GP crash
  • Max Verstappen reveals what he told Kimi Antonelli after Austrian GP crash as F1 record ended
  • F1 fans spot 'hidden Max Verstappen message' in Mercedes' special announcement for Silverstone Grand Prix
  • Max Verstappen has made his feelings clear on F1 movie after 'refusing' to film specific scene with Brad Pitt

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
6 hours ago
7 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    Lando Norris suffers facial injury as things turn ugly following British Grand Prix celebrations with fans

    Lando Norris was the winner of the Formula One British Grand Prix on home soil but suffered a freak injury afterwards.

    F1
  • 6 hours ago

    Nico Hulkenberg 'breaks F1 cooldown room protocol' after first-ever podium finish as Lando Norris forced to step in

    British Grand Prix winner Lando Norris delivered a touching gesture after Nico Hulkenberg claimed his first podium finish.

    F1
  • 7 hours ago

    Sky Sports forced to apologise after what Lando Norris said during interview following first-ever British Grand Prix win

    Lando Norris dropped an F-bomb during his post-race interview with Sky Sports.

    F1
  • 7 hours ago

    Nico Hulkenberg gets emotional over team radio as he claims his first ever podium finish after 239 races

    Nico Hulkenberg was named the driver of the day after an incredible performance saw him finally secure a podium finish.

    F1