Max Ver♍ꦇstappen might have been the unlikeliest driver to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes - until now.

The cha🦩os at Red Bull means Verstappen has stunningly been quizzed about a shock exit, and a move across to their great rivals.

But how might this colossal move impact the rest of the 2025 F1 driver market, which has already seen Hamilton confirmed for Ferrꦰari?

Mercedes’ options?

Toto Wolf🌊f’s “long-term” option is t💟o put Andrea Kimi Antonelli into their car, reports.

He is still just 17 and be♏ginning his debut season in Formula 2 so 2025 might arrive too quickly.

Fernando Alonso is the other key option. At 42, he might be an eye-catc﷽hing move, but he would be short-term.

But signing Alonso would give Antonelli time to grow into the♏ driver that Mercedes ult🐭imately want.

But Wolff was seen talking to Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, a week ago in Bahrain creating the rumour t♏hat the Red Bull star could move.

Mercedes have not yet initiated serious talks wi✱th Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Valtteri Bottas, Esteban Ocon or Alex Albon🔜, the report claims.

Albon is contracted through 2025 but the ot🔜her four would be up for grabs next year.

Wolff has insisted that Mercedes will take their time - but that will impact the rest of the drive🐬r market.

What is Aston Martin’s Plan B?

Aston Martin want to keep Alonso for a third season in 2025, and the dri🔯ver has pledged lo♛yalty to them.

But Alonso is also teasing retirement - whic𒊎h some interpret as a negotiating tactic.

If he leaves, Aston Mart♏in could look to Sainz - who is in desperate need of a seat after being replaced at Ferrari by Hamilton.

Gasly or Bottas could also come i♏nto the picture. But so could Sergio Perez, if hꦓe is ousted at Red Bull.

Will Sergio Perez be axed at Red Bull?

Christian Hဣorner says that Perez’s future depends on his results and performances this year. Last week in Saudi Arabia, he finished P2 behind Verstappen.

The team also has Daniel Ric⛎ciardo, Yuki Tsunoda and ꦬLiam Lawson within their RB ranks.

Ricciardo is w𓆏i💛dely considered to be the likeliest alternative to Perez.

Williams’ Albon could also be brought back to Red Bull in 2026, the report suggests, meaning they would want a one-year stop-ga🅘p in the meantime.

Alpine driver seek exit?

Alpine’s tough sta▨rt to the season means Gasly and Ocon may be c🌄onsidering their options.

Ocon, as a Mercedes junior, will f♊ancy replacing Hamilton.

Jack Doohan and Victor Martins are Alpine junior🧔s who could earn a step into F1.

But F1.com reports that “everyone is waiting for Merceඣdes to make a move” - meaning until Wolff makes his big decision, the other drivers will wait…