Max Verstappen Sent Warning After Turning Down Move to Mercedes

Max Verstappen’s long-term future in Formula 1 remains one of the sport’s most intriguing storylines, and former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has sent him a warning after he snubbed Mercedes.



The reigning four-time world champion was linked with a potential switch to Mercedes earlier this year, but the expiry of a clause in his Red Bull contract put any move on hold until at least next season.



With sweeping new regulations arriving in 2026, Verstappen now has the opportunity to assess the competitive order before making any decisions.



Among the possible destinations in the future is Ferrari, a team that has long been linked to the Dutchman, despite its current line-up featuring Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.



Hamilton’s Late Arrival at Ferrari



Irvine, who partnered Michael Schumacher at Ferrari from 1996 to 1999, believes Hamilton waited too long to join the Scuderia.



“The problem with Lewis, he came a bit too old, but he won seven world championships, so there’s always a price,” Irvine told Sky Sports.



At 40, Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari has been difficult, raising questions about whether the move should have been made earlier in his career.



Irvine hopes Verstappen avoids making the same mistake.



“I would love Verstappen to come to Ferrari. I think the two of them together would be sensational. I hope he doesn’t leave it too late like Lewis did.”



Lessons From Schumacher’s Risk



The former Ferrari driver also reflected on Schumacher’s move from Benetton to Ferrari, a decision that initially cost him championships but ultimately built the foundation for dominance.



“Michael probably gave up two, three, maybe even more world championships to leave Benetton to go [to Ferrari],” Irvine recalled.



“In the first few years, people have no idea how bad it was at Ferrari. Michael knew. There was no point for him. He was so much better than everyone else. He just decided, ‘I’m going to go there. I’m going to see what I can do,’ which was amazing, and he got there.



“But people forget, it took four years. He was always in the vicinity. He was driving the wheels off the thing to try and be there, so it was very easy for it not to happen.”



Schumacher eventually led Ferrari to five consecutive titles, cementing both his legacy and the team’s resurgence.



Could Verstappen Trigger a Similar Shift?



Irvine suggested that Verstappen has the same potential to transform Ferrari in the way Schumacher once did.



“Back in my day, you had Michael come; he was seen as by far the fastest driver. Because of that, Rory Byrne came, Ross [Brawn] came, and that whole team was built around the fact that Michael was another world.



“A bit like Verstappen is now, where if Verstappen went somewhere, he could take a lot of people. Without the whole system together, everyone’s at the same level. It’s tough, Formula 1’s tough.”



He also highlighted the challenges unique to Ferrari.



“It’s very difficult at Ferrari, because they’re on their own in Italy. The British teams are all surrounded by other teams, and there’s cross-pollination. It’s so much more difficult to be on your own in Maranello. That’s it. It’s always more difficult for Ferrari.”



McLaren as an Example of What’s Possible



Looking beyond Ferrari, Irvine praised McLaren for its remarkable turnaround under CEO Zak Brown.



“I’m amazed at what McLaren has done, from where they’ve come from. It just shows you it’s possible. Ron Dennis never thought that [winning a title as an independent] was possible. And Zak Brown is really 10 out of 10. He’s done an amazing job.”



For Verstappen, the decision over whether to pursue Ferrari remains a long-term consideration, but Irvine’s message is clear: if the Dutchman wants to make the move, he cannot afford to wait until his peak years are behind him.
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