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Why Max Verstappen might need to address old Ferrari accusations before a move

Originally posted on HITC | By David Comerford | Last updated Nov 1, 2025 9:10 AM ET

Max Verstappen is reportedly considering a switch to Ferrari for the 2027 season, with the four-time world champion set to reassess his future once the impact of new regulations becomes clear.

Verstappen’s current deal with Red Bull runs through the end of 2028, but it’s widely believed there are exit clauses tied to his standing in the championship. This season, reports suggest that threshold has been raised from a top-three requirement.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is expected to leave Ferrari when his contract ends, which could open up a seat next to Charles Leclerc. If that happens, Verstappen may see it as an opportunity worth exploring.

Max Verstappen’s past cheating accusations against Ferrari could influence potential move

According to Autosport Web, Verstappen will essentially have his pick of teams, except for McLaren, who have made it clear they are happy with their current drivers.

While Verstappen and Leclerc competed for the title in 2022, a strong second half of the season allowed Verstappen to pull ahead. His rivalries with Mercedes and McLaren have often been more heated.

Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

However, Autosport Web has noted that for a move to Ferrari to happen, Verstappen may need to address some remarks he made about the team in the past.

The specific comments weren’t detailed, but they likely refer back to 2019 when Verstappen accused Ferrari of ‘cheating’ with their power unit. Mattia Binotto dismissed those claims at the time.

Max Verstappen once accused Ferrari of cheating and it could affect his chances of joining

According to a report from Autosport Web, Verstappen will have the freedom to pick his next team, with McLaren likely the only option off the table. The team has made it clear they’re confident in their current lineup.

While Verstappen and Leclerc had their title fight back in 2022, it was in the latter stages of that season where Verstappen pulled away. His more heated rivalries have been with drivers from Mercedes and McLaren.

Max Verstappen earlier this month: "I don't go there just to drive for Ferrari, I go there because I see the opportunity to win… and if you win with Ferrari, that's even better."

He pulled out to over a minute-long lead in his GT3 debut in a Ferrari. Imagine… pic.twitter.com/xhIRSaXnG7
— Motorsport (@Motorsport) September 27, 2025

The site also notes that Verstappen might need to address some past remarks about Ferrari if a move were to happen. While there’s no specific comment mentioned, he did once accuse the team of cheating in 2019 – something then-team principal Mattia Binotto firmly denied.

Why did Max Verstappen think Ferrari were cheating?

The disagreement centred around how Ferrari interpreted fuel-flow rules. The FIA responded by releasing several technical directives to clarify what was allowed and reached an agreement with the team early in 2020.

After one of those directives came out, Ferrari struggled at the US Grand Prix, missing out on a podium finish. Verstappen took this as validation for his claims but later admitted he should’ve taken more time before making such strong comments.

If talks between them ever get serious again, Ferrari may push for a more direct apology this time around. But that isn’t really Verstappen’s style — he’s never been one to backtrack or hold back his opinions.

Would he give up his number-one status at Red Bull? He certainly respects Leclerc but would still fancy himself against anyone on the grid.

A partnership between those two could be one of the most intriguing storylines Formula 1 has seen in years

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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