Max Verstappen Shock Transfer Rumour: Audi Preparing Outrageous Move for F1 King
If Max Verstappen were a contestant on the British dating show Take Me Out, every team principal on the Formula 1 grid would be smashing the button to “leave their light on” before he even finished his introduction. And like the winner strutting happily off to the iconic Isle of Fernando’s, Verstappen could take his pick of any team he wanted. That comparison may sound silly, but it perfectly captures the reality of Verstappen’s extraordinary market value and the near-universal desire within the paddock to sign him.
It’s easy to understand why. At just 28 years old, Verstappen already has four world titles to his name. More importantly, he has shown time and time again that he doesn’t require a dominant car to win races. His natural speed, race intelligence, aggression, and ability to extract performance from any machinery make him arguably the most valuable driver on the planet right now. Even if Red Bull were to hit a slump, Verstappen remains a championship-caliber weapon.
One man with a particularly clear understanding of Verstappen’s talent is Jonathan Wheatley – a key architect of Red Bull’s rise and someone who worked closely with Max throughout his title-winning years. Wheatley, who spent nearly two decades at Red Bull as sporting director, is now the team principal at Sauber, which is preparing to become the works Audi Formula 1 team in 2026. And yes, he wants Verstappen in an Audi.
Wheatley Opens the Door for Verstappen
Speaking recently to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Wheatley didn’t hide his admiration or his ambition.
“Of course I want Max Verstappen to drive our car,” Wheatley said. “What kind of team principal would I be if I didn’t want that?”
Wheatley’s relationship with Verstappen goes beyond business. Their connection dates back many years, and Wheatley has long known Max’s father Jos and his manager Raymond Vermeulen. According to him, trust, honesty, and a personal bond are already in place. But that alone, he admits, is nowhere near enough to guarantee Verstappen in Audi colours anytime soon.
“It’s true we are friends, but I don’t think that friendship automatically translates into a Formula 1 seat for Max right now.”
In other words: the door is open, but Audi still has mountains to climb before Verstappen would consider walking through it.
—
Audi’s Long-Game Strategy
Audi may be ambitious, but they are also acutely aware of their current position. Wheatley has been honest about what lies ahead: this is not a team that will be fighting for wins when 2026 rolls around. Audi will need time, investment, technological breakthroughs, and a competitive car to tempt any top driver — let alone one currently dominating at Red Bull.
Still, Audi are far from casual participants. They are throwing themselves into F1 with full factory support. The brand will design and manufacture its own chassis and power unit, establishing a three-hub operation across Europe:
Hinwil, Switzerland: home to the current Sauber facility and future chassis operations
Neuburg, Germany: where Audi’s power units will be developed
Bicester, United Kingdom: a dedicated satellite base for additional technical support
That infrastructure proves Audi are playing the long game. They want to win, and they’re building an organization capable of doing so — but not overnight.
Could Verstappen Ever Leave Red Bull?
This is the real question. Verstappen remains the centrepiece of Red Bull’s success, and while there have been political storms, rumours of internal power struggles, and talk of long-term dissatisfaction, nothing substantial suggests he’s poised to jump ship tomorrow. He has a contract through 2028 and still enjoys the speed and stability Red Bull offers.
But success can fade quickly in Formula 1. Power units change. Regulations evolve. Teams fall behind overnight. Verstappen is young enough that he could contest two, maybe even three major regulation eras before retirement. If Audi slowly rise to the top while Red Bull decline, a move that seems impossible today might be very realistic in five years.
And that’s exactly the angle Wheatley and Audi are banking on.
The Future: A Wild But Not Impossible Prospect
Nobody knows where the sport will be in 2030. Maybe McLaren, Ferrari, or Mercedes will lead the charge. Maybe Audi will shock the world. Maybe Verstappen will still be dominating — or maybe he’ll be searching for a fresh challenge.
What is clear now is that Audi are not shy about their ambitions. They have appointed a respected former Red Bull figure, are investing aggressively in infrastructure, and openly admit that Max Verstappen is the ultimate target.
The message is simple: Audi doesn’t just want to be in Formula One — they want to change it. And nothing would announce their arrival louder than stealing the most dominant driver of his generation.
Whether reality ever catches up to that dream remains to be seen. But the very fact we’re talking about it shows how seriously Audi are taking their future in the sport — and how valuable Max Verstappen truly is.
