Coulthard: Verstappen Would Be 'More Comfortable Fit' at Ferrari Over Mercedes

Max Verstappen has been told that Ferrari would be a "more comfortable fit" than Mercedes should he leave Red Bull, with former F1 driver David Coulthard offering a clear verdict on the four-time champion's potential next move. Verstappen's future is clouded after a difficult start to the 2026 season, with the Dutchman openly critical of the new regulations and weighing his options—including a possible exit from F1 altogether.

Why it matters:

Verstappen’s next career decision could reshape the F1 landscape. A move to Ferrari would reunite him with the sport's most iconic team, while a switch to Mercedes—where he already has ties via GT racing—seems less natural in Coulthard's view. Either way, his choice will have massive implications for the driver market and team dynamics heading into 2027.

The details:

• Coulthard, speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, argued that Verstappen's personality aligns better with Ferrari's culture. "The freedom to be Max… he would be a more comfortable fit at Ferrari because you would just turn up, drive quickly, presumably win the races and then head home."
• Verstappen's connection to Mercedes includes driving a Mercedes in the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours, but Coulthard downplays that as a factor.
• The 28-year-old has been openly unhappy with the 2026 cars since pre-season testing, and even after rule tweaks introduced in Miami, he remained critical. Despite that, he showed his trademark fight in the Miami GP: starting on the front row, he spun after contact with Charles Leclerc but battled back to fifth.
• Red Bull delivered upgrades on the RB22, helping close the gap to Mercedes—who won through Kimi Antonelli. Coulthard praised Verstappen's refusal to yield: "He would not give an inch. And it's great to see him not give an inch."

What's next:

Verstappen's immediate focus remains on Red Bull's recovery, but murmurs of a potential departure persist. With Ferrari and Mercedes both eyeing the Dutchman, Coulthard's comments add another layer to the speculation. If he stays, Red Bull must sustain development; if he leaves, the 2027 silly season could erupt earlier than expected.