Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert says the most sensible opt👍ion for Max Verstappen would be to leave Red Bull and join Aston﷽ Martin next year.

A relatively tough start to the season for Red Bull has led to doubts over 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Verstappen seeing out ꧃his deal with the team until the end of the 2028 season.

The Dutchman has already conceded that he is not a contender for this year’s title, with McLaren having made a further step forward after winꦺning the construct🧜ors’ championship in 2024.

Any career decision would have to take the🐻 impact of 2026 regulations into account, as the shift in rules could blow the field wide open and leave struggling teams with a large deficit to overcome.

Should Verstappen decide to leave the team with which he has won all four of his F1 titles, 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Mercedes and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Aston Martin would be his primary options.

Mercedes is widely underꦑstood to have built the best power unit for 2026, w🦹hile Aston Martin is taking on works engines from Red Bull’s current partner Honda and its chassis development has been bolstered by the arrival of Adrian Newey.

A sabbatical from F1 in 2026, which could potentially allow him to focus on other areas of life, is also believed to be on the t♕able.

“Max would always be ready fo﷽r it, even after a year off. He has three choices: stay where he is at Red Bull, choose to join Aston Martin or Mercedes, or take a one-year sabbatical.

"Mercedes are the ones who spoke with the Verstappens even before Max joined F1 and they have a better car for next year. They've lost thไeir edge, but they can have improved a lot this year.

“Mercedes are better than Aston Martin, but on𓂃e team has Adrian Newey ahead of the 2026 regulation changes. The Mercedes I've heard on the grapevine is in a very good position for next season, competitive-wise. So, if there have been serious negotiations, Verstappen will be very aware of this.

"With the one-year sabbatical, Verstapp🐓en can wait and see what car has been delivered in 2026 and join a 𝐆team from there.

“But, I think he'd want to be at a team from the start of the new regulatio🌞ns, to take charge and mould the car towards his driving style.

“If the Mercedes is really good and Kimi Antonelli and Georg🅠e Russell are consistentlyꦜ finishing first and second, Verstappen will have lost his chance of joining the team.

“Then he'll be hoping that the Aston Ma🧸rtin can perform. If either team dominates next season, they won't want to fix what's not broken. But right now, the move to Aston Martin makes the most sense.”

Verstappen currently sits third in the drivers’ championship on 87 points, 12 behind McLaren’s standings leader 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Oscar Piastri.

Red Bull also 🌟holds third place in the constructors’ championship after the opening five rounds of the෴ season, but already trails McLaren by 99 points.

Herbert has also advised Aston Martin 🐓to go 'all out' f♚or Verstappen with additional investment from Saudi Arabia.