Max Verstappen warns Red Bull: F1 future uncertain if car fails to deliver in next races amid growing McLaren dominance.
Verstappen has openly acknowledged that the next few Formula 1 races could be decisive for his future at Red Bull.
The Dutch driver has long been the subject of speculation, with rumors of a possible departure from the Milton Keynes team growing louder amid internal tensions in 2024 and a noticeable slip in performance.
Red Bull has struggled to consistently challenge McLaren this season. Verstappen has taken just one win in the first six races, falling short of his usual dominant form.
With major regulation changes coming to F1 in 2026, the competitive order could be shaken up once again, and Verstappen is well aware of that.
“It’s hard to predict,” he said in Imola. “Next year, everything changes again. People can make claims about who’s ahead, but the truth is, nobody knows for sure.”
“Right now, McLaren is in the best position. Cars and engines will change next year, but if you keep an edge on tires like they have, that’s going to matter, and it could carry over.”
A move to McLaren is off the table, as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are locked into long-term deals. Verstappen, too, is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, but that deal reportedly includes performance clauses that could allow for an early exit.
Asked directly whether he’s considering a move before 2028, Verstappen didn’t deny it.
“I always think about the future, even during the good years,” he said. “But right now, I feel pretty calm about it. We’ll see where we stand after a few more races.”
When questioned about staying with Red Bull in 2026, particularly with the new engine developed alongside Ford, Verstappen made his stance clear.
“That’s still the plan. I’ve told the team that,” he said. “Unless things go really wrong, I’m not planning to leave. At least, not at the moment.”
Still, phrases like “for now” and “after a few races” suggest Verstappen hasn’t ruled anything out. He admits that what happens next on track could shape his decision.
“I want to see how things develop, even just part of the season. The team can still make progress. The upcoming races are going to be important, especially for my future.”
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“I’m not just thinking about next year, I’m speaking in general terms. And I think everyone in the team understands that.”
“The problem is, if you could really focus only on performance, you might want to switch teams every year. But obviously, that’s not how it works.”
As for the idea of taking a year off, something floated by some former F1 drivers, Verstappen is crystal clear: that’s not on the table.
“That’s completely false. There’s no truth to it at all. My plan is to keep racing in F1 at least through 2028. Sure, I don’t enjoy everything about the environment, but I do enjoy working with the people around me, and the racing itself. Even finishing fourth in Miami, while not what I want, is still better than being last.”
Interestingly, Verstappen has also had conversations with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, and not just about F1. They also discussed GT3 racing, a category Mercedes is re-investing in. The door, it seems, is still slightly open.
“That was our first real conversation since 2021,” Verstappen said. “We cleared the air about what happened back then and also talked about the future. But for me, it’s not just about Formula 1.”
“I do a lot with Red Bull, but I’m involved in other projects too. It’s about more than just the F1 car. Not every team can offer that. And if I ever drive somewhere else, it’ll have to be the same deal. On those things, I won’t compromise. I need my freedom, otherwise, there won’t even be a conversation.”
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