Toto Wolff sent the F1 rumor mill into a frenzy after claiming that Max Verstappen will be Mercedes’ number 1 prospect for 2025. Soon after, the Dutchman denied any such move and affirmed his loyalties still lie with Red Bull. However, Former Minardi boss Paul Stoddart believes that the “Drama” surrounding Red Bull can still force Verstappen out.

Ever since the public statements made by Jos Verstappen against Christian Horner, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull exit speculation has grown. And Jos’ meeting with Wolff in Bahrain added fuel to the fire of a potential Mercedes move. But the Dutchman doesn’t seem to be as agitated as his father was with the Red Bull ‘power struggle’ situation.

Paul Stoddart believes that though the Red Bull star might be satisfied currently, the worsening Red Bull situation can only prove to be detrimental. “It’s better not to say too much about things before they have really happened,” Stoddart told Dutch Motorsport, regarding Verstappen’s rumored move to Mercedes. “Because if you spell ‘F1’ backward, you have ‘IF’. However, all the drama of the past few months does not help the situation. If you had asked me twelve months ago if Max would go somewhere else before 2028, I would have said, ‘No chance’. But times have changed.”

It would be a rough predicament for Christian Horner to deal with if his star driver departs. But before that, Stoddart reckons Verstappen will win his 5th championship with them.

Max Verstappen will be a “5-Time World Champion” with Red Bull

The Dutchman is already a 3-time World Champion. And looking at the RB20’s pace compared to its rivals, his 4th championship is as good as secured. Though 2025 is far away, Ferrari looks menacing enough to give him a run for his money. But Stoddart doesn’t buy the rival talk – 2025 will be Red Bull and Max Verstappen again, he believes.

“He’s going to be champion this year and next year as well,” the Australian opined. “Guaranteed, unless something stupid happens. So in a few years, he’ll be a five-time world champion. And what happens after that in 2026? No one knows.”

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At the current rate at which controversies and rumors are growing, forget 2026, even 2024 seems undecided. The driver market could explode and the 5th predicted championship might not be in store for Verstappen.