Verstappen is “too intelligent” to leave Red Bull—Ecclestone.

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes is “too intelligent” to leave Red Bull, and that an early exit from the team that has made him a three-time F1 champion would be “silly”.

Despite Red Bull’s supremacy, the potential of Verstappen departing is genuine due to persistent issues behind the scenes combined with concerns ahead of the 2026 power unit regulations, and the new Powertrains department’s capabilities to develop its first engine.

Adding fuel to the fire is the fact Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey will quit the team in early 2025, ending what will be a 19-year partnership that has yielded seven drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles.

Despite persistent rumblings of a power struggle, speaking before confirmation of Newey’s departure, Ecclestone does not see Verstappen following him through the exit door. “He’s too intelligent to do that,” stated Ecclestone. “What would he gain? To go where?”

Verstappen has always received exceptional care from Red Bull’s F1 team and the energy drink manufacturer. Ecclestone knows he will hard to obtain equal treatment elsewhere.

“It’d be silly to move,” argued the 93-year-old. “There’s nowhere he could go where I think he would get exactly the same service as you get at Red Bull.”

Verstappen, however, continues to be associated with Mercedes. Team principal Toto Wolff, who missed out on signing Verstappen before he joined the Red Bull family, will undoubtedly pull out all the stops to avoid falling short again

According to numerous sources, a huge sum has been offered to the Dutchman to replace Lewis Hamilton.

Whilst Red Bull will theoretically boast a stronger package than Mercedes in 2025, the pecking order will completely reset come 2026 when the new power unit restrictions are adopted, guaranteeing there is no assurance the champion’s dominance will endure.

Mercedes has a history of creating competitive engines, notably blowing off its rivals when the hybrid age began in 2014, and continuing through to 2021.

Joining Mercedes might offer Verstappen an exit path if he believes Red Bull’s 2026 powerplant is behind schedule, as has been speculated.

Ecclestone also knows it might allow the 26-year-old to prove he is the star and not Red Bull’s car.

“Well, the only thing is, you can do that when it suits you, rather than being pushed into it because you would think ‘why should Mercedes get that big advantage?'” questioned Ecclestone.

“They would spend the money. Red Bull spends the money. He knows about Red Bull, he knows exactly what they do and what they don’t do.

“Would he go to think he could prove it’s not what others say at the time, maybe it’s not him it’s the car that’s wonderful.

“So maybe he would like to travel somewhere else to establish it’s me, not the car. It’s another aspect of things. But where would he go? I believe in the end Mercedes is the obvious choice.”