​Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 champion, believes Max Verstappen is becoming more agitated and increasingly isolated at Red Bull, forecasting that the four-time world champion will actively seek a way out of the team. Button pointed to Mercedes as the most plausible destination for Verstappen, sharing his views on Sky Sports F1 Show while discussing the Dutchman’s future with the Milton Keynes outfit. The conversation was steered by host Simon Lazenby, who highlighted the contract’s exit clause that could potentially come into effect at the summer break if Verstappen does not sit in the top two of the drivers’ standings.
“If his management weren’t asking around, they’re not doing their job properly,” Button stated. “I’m sure there are two teams that he’d be interested in: McLaren, perhaps, and obviously the big one at the moment, Mercedes. All drivers have contracts, but money talks. There’s always a way of moving a driver on to somewhere else.”
Button continued: “I think he sounds really frustrated at the moment. He puts a cheerful face on most of the time, but I think he’s genuinely frustrated by the situation. Many of the people he has worked with for years and won championships with have left and moved elsewhere. It must feel very odd. It might feel a bit lonely inside that team for him. Everyone around him is new. So I think he’ll be looking elsewhere. Yeah, I really do for next year.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
For Button, the most logical next team would be Mercedes, the current championship leader, which has claimed seven of the first nine grands prix in the 2026 season. “The team I’d want to place him with, if I were his management, is Mercedes, obviously alongside Kimi [Antonelli] or alongside George [Russell], whichever one they decide to move on with,” Button added. “You have to be ruthless. You’ve got to be selfish in his position because you know he’s further into his career.”
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