Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull is uncertain as doubts rise over the team’s competitiveness in a post-Newey era. Will he stay?
Red Bull isn’t ruling out the possibility of Max Verstappen leaving at the end of the season. The Dutchman wants to see that the team is doing everything in its power to stay at the top.
Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s senior advisor, has openly admitted that Verstappen’s departure is a real scenario. And while Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insists signing Max is “not in his plans for now,” no one doubts he’s keeping a close watch on the situation.
Even though Verstappen is locked into a contract with Red Bull until 2028, doubts are creeping in. With Adrian Newey’s influence fading, the team’s competitive edge is in question. The RB21 isn’t the fastest, and the 2026 RB22 is a complete unknown—just like its power unit.
Red Bull Under Pressure: Can They Keep Verstappen?
Marko acknowledged that if Red Bull keeps slipping, Max might not stick around.
“His contract has performance clauses, and Max wants to win. He needs to feel that we are doing everything possible to make that happen.”
“If he doesn’t believe we’re fully committed to giving him the best car, there’s a risk—contract or not—that he could walk away.”
“It’s crucial for us to show him we can build a winning machine.”
“That doesn’t mean we have to dominate every race,” Marko clarified. “But we need to win when we can and, at the very least, secure enough points.”
The pressure is on Red Bull to prove they can still give Verstappen the platform to chase more titles. Otherwise, he may start looking elsewhere.
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Red Bull Under Pressure: Can They Keep Verstappen? Red Bull Under Pressure: Can They Keep Verstappen?
