Advice to Verstappen: 'Red Bull best choice, this team also an option'

First and foremost, according to Albers, Red Bull is the best option. He also understands – just like this website – that Verstappen is 'simply' staying with the Austrian team into 2026. "He has all the freedom there, is the number 1, can do what he wants and in terms of performance, that car is not really that bad," says Albers in De Telegraaf's podcast.

But the analyst also sees how Toto Wolff, the CEO and team manager of Mercedes, has not given up on acquiring Verstappen. "Toto feels comfortable, after a first and third place. With Max in that car, you gain two or three tenths and are closer to McLaren."

Yet, a move to Aston Martin wouldn't be strange for Albers. In this team, seemingly unlimited funds are being pumped in and it's slowly paying off, the Dutchman believes, looking at Fernando Alonso performing better week by week.

The main reason for Verstappen to go to Aston Martin, according to Albers, would be Adrian Newey. "He's someone with whom you've been dominant, so why not? He has proven himself. Of course, there are more people in a team. But if you didn't feel he was the dominant person [at Red Bull], then you'll believe it now."

By this, Albers alludes to the fact that it has gradually been going downhill for Red Bull Racing since Newey first became less involved with the F1 vehicle of the team and now is not involved at all.