F1 News 2026 Formula 1 Motorsport Associates ▼ About Us Contact Sports --> What Formula 1 team options did Max Verstappen really have apart from Red Bull? F1 Opinion by Paul Velasco Monday, 31 August 2026 at 08:00 Add as a preferred source on Google Max Verstappen may have the most valuable signature in Formula 1, but Riccardo Patrese believes his realistic options outside Red Bull were far narrower than the speculation suggested. Red Bull ended months of uncertainty before the Dutch Grand Prix by extending Verstappen’s contract until the end of 2030. Mercedes and McLaren had repeatedly been linked with the four-time World Champion, but both already had established driver line-ups. Patrese believes Verstappen could have forced either team to make room. The problem was the upheaval such a move would have created: “Max probably could have an option elsewhere if he had pushed it, even though other teams had said they had confirmed their drivers. It would have caused a fight. “If Max had said to Mercedes or McLaren that he wanted to come, they would find a place for him, whatever the cost, because no one can say no to Verstappen. But he knew it would cause a lot of aggravation, and in the end it was not something he wanted, it seems.” For Patrese, staying at Red Bull was therefore more than the comfortable option. It preserved Verstappen’s position inside a team built around him while giving Red Bull another winter to attack Mercedes under the new regulations. Difficult to find a place without causing a revolution The former Grand Prix winner and motorsport veteran explained to Betpack media team: “Even for Max Verstappen, in the end, it was difficult to find a place without causing a revolution in another team, with contracts having to be broken. “And maybe Red Bull will come good again next season. This year the rules were completely new, and everybody had to adapt to them. But next year, especially over this winter, every team can focus on the future and their programmes and maybe next year a team can be better than Mercedes in 2027. "Red Bull could easily be one of them, which means Max will be able to win again." reckoned Patrese, wo also believes Verstappen’s commitment can help stabilise Red Bull after significant personnel changes. “Now there is the new team principal, Laurent Mekies, who is doing a good job. Max is staying, which will bring stability and bring in sponsors, I am sure. When you have the money, that helps to make a good car!" Did money settle Verstappen’s decision? "To have Max on board for them was important. Personally, I'm very happy that he stays in Formula 1 because you need Max in the sport. He is too good," added Patrese. Verstappen has repeatedly described Red Bull as home, but Patrese does not believe sentiment alone decided matters: “Max has been at Red Bull for a long time and as he says it is like his home. He has shown that he can make a difference even with a car that is a little bit inferior. “But I also think that money made a difference. I heard they have paid really a lot of money for him to stay for four more years. So, money was also an important factor.” Patrese cited reports in Italy suggesting $100m per season, potentially $400m across four years. The figure remains unverified, with exact F1 driver contract values rarely disclosed. No tears for Zandvoort Patrese added: “Nobody knows precisely because, you know, nobody can read Max’s contract. But here in Italy they say USD$100m a year.” Whatever the number, Verstappen staying denied Mercedes and McLaren the driver most capable of changing the competitive balance almost overnight. Patrese also reflected on Verstappen’s Lap 2 crash at his final home Dutch Grand Prix: “It was a sad way to finish there in his home Grand Prix. But it showed that Max is human after all because he made a mistake. “But knowing Max, he would not have wanted to finish fourth or fifth in Holland. So, he went for it to try to get onto the podium. There is more glamour in crashing out like that," ventured, Patrese who says he will not miss Zandvoort either, arguing the narrow circuit and ageing infrastructure no longer suit modern Formula 1. He concluded: “It is not fit for modern Formula 1. I was there, I think in 2021 because my son Lorenzo was racing and really the paddocks were as they were in 1970. Very poor quality.” Read also Lily Piquet Verstappen to be Formula 1's next female driver? Ruth Buscombe thinks so! 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Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.grandprix247.com