Max Verstappen is not thinking about switching to another team – the Red Bull driver has ‘enough worries with other things we want to do better’
After the future of Max Verstappen has been discussed several times this season, it now seems clear that the Dutchman will stay with Red Bull at least for the coming year. The three-time Formula 1 world champion’s top priority is currently to bring Red Bull back to the top.
Verstappen is therefore not (yet) worrying about a possible team change for the 2026 season. “Yes, of course I know it’s possible, but I’m not really thinking about it at the moment,” the 27-year-old alludes to the possible options available to him. “I think right now I have enough concerns with other things we want to do better.”
“We’ll see what happens in the future,” says Verstappen in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com/Autosport. ”To be honest, I’m not thinking about it too much at the moment. But if it doesn’t work out, then that’s just the way it is. My life won’t change.”
Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2028, but the Dutchman would apparently have the option of leaving the team under certain conditions. “Most top drivers have exit clauses that are performance-related. Max has something like that too,” Red Bull sports consultant Helmut Marko reveals to RTL/ntv.
“That means: If we can’t provide him with a car that he can drive in front with, that’s certainly a point he’ll consider,” Marko knows. The biggest variable here is the completely new regulations for 2026, which will see major changes to car designs and completely revised drive units. This offers a great opportunity to change the pecking order in the competition.
Verstappen on 2026: “A question mark for everyone”
On top of that, Red Bull has lost a lot of key personnel in recent months. Adrian Newey has now signed with Aston Martin, while sports director Jonathan Wheatley is moving to Sauber/Audi. And Will Courtenay, head of the strategy department, will also be working for McLaren in the future.
This could play a role in the future, especially as Red Bull currently has to face many questions. From 2026, the Bulls will use the power unit developed by Red Bull Powertrains with the support of Ford itself for the first time, while Honda will become Aston Martin’s factory partner.
Verstappen, however, does not believe that Red Bull’s form for 2026 is a bigger mystery than that of its rivals. “Of course it is [a question mark], but you can say that about everyone,” believes the Dutchman. “It’s a completely new car and a new engine.”
“It’s a question mark for everyone, even for the people who think they are in the best position at the moment,” Verstappen smiles when asked about the competition from McLaren, Ferrari and Co. ‘There is always the question of whether you have really done such a great job, and that will remain so [until the 2026 season begins].’