In the high-speed, adrenaline-rushing world of Formula 1, loyalties are often as shifting as the tracks’ chicanes. However, a recent revelation has sent ripples through the racing community: Max Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing prodigy, was once a coveted target for the prancing horse, Ferrari.

In an astonishing revelation, Jos Verstappen, father of the young Dutch ace, disclosed that Ferrari had shown significant interest in signing his son back in 2016. This disclosure sparks a tantalizing “what if?” in the minds of racing enthusiasts around the globe. After all, who wouldn’t be intrigued by the prospect of Verstappen donning the prestigious scarlet outfit?​

Ferrari’s interest in Verstappen began after his electrifying debut year in Formula 1. Aged just 17 years and 166 days, Verstappen roared onto the F1 scene at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver ever to compete in the sport. His rookie year, spent with Scuderia Toro Rosso, was nothing short of sensational. The following year, after only four races, Verstappen was catapulted to the parent team, Red Bull Racing, as a replacement for Daniil Kvyat.

He didn’t disappoint, winning the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix on his Red Bull debut, setting another record as the youngest-ever driver and the first Dutch driver to win an F1 Grand Prix. Ergo, the Dutchman’s allegiance remained with Red Bull, a team that provided him not just with a competitive car, but a tightly knit team that became his second family. “Now Max has everything at Red Bull, a competitive car and team, it wouldn’t make sense to change,” stated Jos Verstappen​ as per a tweet by RBR Daily.

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So, the anticipated move to Ferrari never materialized. But what could’ve happened if Verstappen had switched to the Italian marque? Let’s fuel our imaginations for a moment.

Speculations of Max Verstappen’s Future: A Potential Move from Red Bull to Ferrari?

Max Verstappen, the two-time F1 world champion, has been suggested to potentially leave Red Bull to join Ferrari as part of his quest to secure his position among the all-time greats. The Dutch driver won his first world championship in 2021, followed by a second in 2022, during which Red Bull dominated by winning 17 out of 22 Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s performance in 2023 has been equally impressive, winning six out of the first eight races, with only his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, providing some competition. According to the MirrorUK journalist, former Le Mans champion Richard Bradley believes that Verstappen might move to Ferrari to demonstrate his skill and join the ranks of legends such as Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, and Lewis Hamilton.

Formula One F1 – Brazilian Grand Prix – Jose Carlos Pace Circuit, Sao Paulo, Brazil – November 12, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen before practice REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Bradley suggests that if Verstappen continues to win titles and faces complacency, he might follow in Schumacher’s footsteps to transform Ferrari into a championship-winning team. Bradley thinks Verstappen’s path to greatness could involve winning with a less competitive car and taking a team from a non-winning position to a championship, as Schumacher, Senna, and Hamilton did.

“The reason I think this is because Max is on the path to greatness, we can all see that, he’s on a meteoric rise, he’s dominant at the minute, he’s had two World Championships in the Red Bull, but we’ve never actually seen him do what defines the true greats,” expanded Bradley.

While Verstappen has so far excelled in a high-performing team and car, Bradley believes he might want to prove himself further, given his ambitious nature. He could aim to restore Ferrari’s former glory, as Schumacher did. The timeline for such a move is uncertain, but Bradley speculates that if Verstappen achieves around five championships in the next five years, a move to Ferrari could be a possibility to watch for, especially if the F1 rules remain unchanged until 2026.

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Well, in 2016 Verstappen chose to remain with Red Bull, and the rest, as they say, is history. He’s built an impressive career with the team, and the prospect of him moving to Ferrari now seems more distant than ever. Yet, the revelation of Ferrari’s interest in Verstappen offers a fascinating glimpse into the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of F1. What do you think the tale of Verstappen and Ferrari, though unrealized, could have been like?