Audi Target Max Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton Sends Defiant Ferrari Message – Inside F1’s Growing Transfer Tension
Audi’s preparations for their long-awaited Formula 1 debut have taken a dramatic turn after newly appointed team boss Jonathan Wheatley openly admitted that he intends to bring Max Verstappen into the fold in the coming years. The German automotive giant, which is stepping into F1 competition for the first time in 2026, is already making headlines before turning a single lap – and the prospect of signing the sport’s most dominant driver has amplified the buzz.
Audi will take over the Sauber operation next season as part of a major strategic push into Formula 1’s next regulatory era. Starting in 2026, the sport will enter an all-new technical landscape that includes increased electrical power, sustainable fuels, and aggressive aerodynamic limitations designed to improve racing and reduce costs. Audi is not just entering as a chassis constructor but will also develop its own power unit from scratch, making it one of only a handful of fully integrated manufacturers on the grid.
At the center of this project is Jonathan Wheatley – a name synonymous with Red Bull’s golden era. Wheatley served as Red Bull’s sporting director for nearly two decades and was directly involved in all of the team’s championship triumphs, including Max Verstappen’s four world titles. Now, in his new role as Audi team principal, Wheatley has made his ambitions clear: he wants Verstappen to lead the project.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, Wheatley did not attempt to disguise his intentions.
> “Yes, I want Max Verstappen to drive our car,” he admitted, when asked about pursuing the Dutch superstar.
Wheatley emphasized that any F1 team with championship intentions should naturally be interested in signing the most successful driver of the current generation. Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but with Audi planning to be title-contenders by 2030, the timelines are beginning to align.
“What kind of team principal would I be if I didn’t want that?” Wheatley continued. “I have been very lucky to know Max for many years, and also his father Jos and his manager, Raymond. That trust and honesty forms the core of our relationship. But being friends is not enough on its own to secure a Formula 1 deal.”
While Audi’s interest does not guarantee Verstappen’s departure from Red Bull, it adds a powerful new narrative to the already-volatile driver market. Verstappen has often expressed his desire to retire young or leave F1 if the sport’s direction no longer suits him, and he has occasionally voiced frustration over politics within the team and the FIA. With Christian Horner no longer part of Red Bull’s leadership and the team undergoing internal transformation, 2028 may prove to be a natural crossroads.
For now, Audi’s 2026 lineup is confirmed as Nico Hülkenberg and young Brazilian hopeful Gabriel Bortoleto. Hülkenberg brings crucial experience, while Bortoleto represents the long-term future – but neither carries the star power or championship pedigree necessary to headline a manufacturer team. That is where Verstappen comes in.
Audi’s target is clear: they want to be fighting for championships no later than 2030. To reach that level, they need not only engineering excellence but a driver capable of translating that potential into trophies. With 60+ Grand Prix wins and four world titles, Verstappen is the most valuable asset in modern Formula 1.
Meanwhile at Ferrari – Hamilton Refuses to Lose Hope
While Audi eyes Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton continues to push through one of the most difficult seasons of his career at Ferrari. The seven-time champion has not scored a podium in 2025 and has endured multiple DNFs, including in Brazil where both Ferraris failed to finish. Despite growing pressure, Hamilton has remained publically optimistic, insisting the team’s struggles will not break his belief.
His latest message to fans emphasized unity, patience, and faith in Ferrari’s long-term vision – a stark contrast to Wheatley’s decisive and aggressive recruitment strategy at Audi. With Hamilton also under contract until 2026, the widening gap between the current giants and the rising ones is becoming increasingly visible.
The Beginning of F1’s Next Power Shift?
Whether Max Verstappen ever drives an Audi remains uncertain – but the fact the conversation has started confirms something bigger: Formula 1 is entering another major power shift. With Porsche, Honda, Audi, and Ford joining or expanding their presence, the sport is preparing for a new manufacturer war.
And in wars, every side wants the strongest weapon. For Audi, that weapon is Max Verstappen.
