Coulthard: Verstappen Would Be a Better Fit for Ferrari Than Mercedes

David Coulthard believes that if Max Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull Racing, Ferrari would be a more natural home for the Dutchman than Mercedes. The former McLaren and Red Bull driver points to Verstappen's persona and the freedom he enjoys outside of F1 as key factors that would mesh well with the Italian squad's ethos.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's long-term future in Formula 1 is increasingly uncertain. The four-time world champion has openly criticized the current regulations and hinted he might step away from the sport entirely. Red Bull's competitive edge is also no longer guaranteed, making the driver market's biggest domino a topic of intense speculation.

The details:

• Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, Coulthard said: "I think that Max actually, as a shoo-in, fits better to the Ferrari world than the Mercedes world."
• He elaborated that Verstappen's approach to his activities outside of F1 – such as GT3 racing – would line up well with Ferrari. "The freedom to be Max, I think would be a more comfortable fit at Ferrari because you would just turn up, drive quickly, presumably win the races and then head home."
• This comes despite Verstappen's current relationship with Mercedes, which supplies him with GT3 cars for his personal racing ventures.
• Verstappen himself has remained non-committal on his future, saying in Miami: "Nothing new... I still have time, and I'm taking my time."
• GPblog has also reported that staying at Red Bull appears to rank below several other options in Verstappen's considerations.

What's next:

Verstappen has made it clear he is in no rush to decide his next move. While he remains under contract with Red Bull, the growing speculation suggests a potential split could come as early as 2026. Both Mercedes and Ferrari have seats that could open up, and Coulthard's assessment adds weight to the idea that Maranello offers the most natural fit for the Dutchman's competitive and personality-driven style.