New rumours have emerged about Max Verstappen's future in Formula 1, and Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle has suggested the reigning world champion may be following Lewis Hamilton's career trajectory.
Rumours have swirled around Verstappen's potential departure from Red Bull, with recent speculation suggesting he could join McLaren. Brundle feels that at some stage, top drivers are ready for a new challenge and do not want to be a part of the same team for the rest of their career.
While Verstappen is still signed with Red Bull, there has been a lot of speculation in the paddock lately after the team's poor performances and McLaren's rise as one of the strongest teams in Formula 1. There have been recent reports of talks about a possible move, but nothing has been confirmed.
Brundle Sees Hamilton Blueprint for Verstappen
When asked about Verstappen's future, Brundle likened him to Lewis Hamilton, who surprised Formula 1 by leaving Mercedes for Ferrari after over 10 years with the Silver Arrows in search of a new challenge.
Brundle thinks that Verstappen may find himself in a similar situation in the future.
(Photo by Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Brundle said, "Whether that's in 2027 or 2028, he'll want to try something new. We see this with drivers quite often. Look at Lewis, who, after a long period with one team, chose a new challenge and made a fresh start."
It's not surprising, Brundle said, as it's a natural progression for many of the great F1 careers.
Verstappen to McLaren Rumors Continue to Swirl
McLaren has denied several times that Verstappen is interested in joining the team, and Verstappen has also brushed aside the speculation about his future.
McLaren has become Red Bull's primary competition, and Verstappen has had a frustrating period of racing as Red Bull looks for a consistent driver. Those conditions have inevitably raised questions about the possibility of the four-time world champion looking elsewhere in the future.
But if Brundle's prediction is correct, then Formula 1 fans could one day see another blockbuster transfer, one that mirrors Hamilton's headline-grabbing move from Mercedes to Ferrari for one final chapter.