Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 World Champion, recently shared his prediction for the sport’s next potential titleholder if Red Bull decides on a new teammate for him in the coming seasons. Surprisingly, Verstappen did not initially name his close competitor, McLaren’s Lando Norris, in his prediction. Instead, he placed his bet on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, citing the young driver’s consistency and natural talent as reasons why he sees Leclerc as a future champion.

In an interview with DAZN, Verstappen stated, “You can bet on a few, I think, but if I had to pick one, I’d go with Charles [Leclerc].” He later acknowledged Norris when pressed for an additional choice, recognizing the McLaren driver’s potential as well.

Meanwhile, rumors have surfaced about Red Bull’s potential shift in their lineup for the 2025 season, with team principal Christian Horner confirming they are keeping a close watch on the driver market. Although Sergio Perez is still contracted to race next year, performance pressures have led Red Bull to reportedly consider other options, including emerging talents like Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto.

This speculation comes amid Red Bull’s recent discussions with Williams about securing Colapinto for the 2025 season. Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have both spoken highly of the young driver’s s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, fueling rumors that Colapinto could take on the coveted Red Bull seat, potentially alongside Verstappen.

As Red Bull navigates its future lineup, Verstappen’s endorsement of Leclerc adds an interesting layer to the championship conversation, especially if changes within Red Bull lead to a new competitive landscape on the track.