Max Verstappen Hints at Future Honda Collaboration Amid Red Bull Exit Rumors

Max Verstappen has hinted at a potential future collaboration with Honda, sparking speculation about his future with Red Bull and potential move to Aston Martin.

Max Verstappen has dropped a hint about a potential future collaboration with Honda. The Japanese engine manufacturer's highly successful partnership with Red Bull will come to an end after the current Formula 1 season. Despite this, Verstappen's comments suggest that he may work with Honda again in the future.

Honda's engines have played a crucial role in Verstappen's success, powering him to four consecutive world championships with Red Bull. However, from 2026, Honda will be supplying engines to the Aston Martin team, marking a significant shift in the Formula 1 landscape. This development has sparked rumors about Verstappen's potential future with Aston Martin.

🎌 Good times in Tokyo, a great start to what’s going to be a special week 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tA616RLPbF

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) April 2, 2025

Max Verstappen expressed his gratitude to Honda at a Formula 1 fan day in Tokyo, ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. “It's been a ride that I enjoyed a lot,” he told fans after driving the RB16B, the car that propelled him to his first world title, through the streets of Japan's capital.

Verstappen reflected on the success he achieved with Honda, acknowledging that their partnership elevated him to unprecedented heights. “Of course before we started working with Honda, we had our success. But I could have never imagined the heights that we got to, winning four championships together,” he said. Looking ahead to the upcoming weekend, Verstappen stated, “I want to try and just enjoy the weekend, try to go as fast as you can, but it's more about also just remembering all that we have achieved together in the sport and who knows, of course, in the future as well?”

Verstappen hinted at the possibility of reuniting with Honda in the future, saying, “You know what can be done. So it's like a goodbye for now, but that's it. I'm still quite young and you never know what happens in the future.”

Max Verstappen's comments have sparked speculation that he may not fulfill his contract with Red Bull, which is set to run until the 2028 season. Reports suggest that Verstappen's contract includes performance-related exit clauses, allowing him to leave if the Red Bull car fails to remain competitive.

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya shared his thoughts on the situation, stating that Aston Martin would likely make Verstappen an irresistible offer if he were to trigger those clauses. “I think Max will get an offer he can't refuse from Aston Martin,” Montoya said in an interview with Vision4Sport. He further emphasized that Aston Martin would be the logical choice for Verstappen, given the presence of Adrian Newey and Honda. “If I were Max, I would go to Aston. Mercedes would be cool too, but Aston would be the logical choice, having Adrian and Honda. Everything he has won with is there.”

The Red Bull team will pay tribute to their partnership with Honda by running a special red and white livery for this weekend's race at Suzuka, marking the final year of their collaboration.

Tearing it up in Tokyo 🇯🇵

Yuki Tsunoda, Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar kicked off the Japan race weekend with a special showrun 😊#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/u0U5XvegmS

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 2, 2025