The prevailing discussion seems to center on Max Verstappen’s future within Formula 1, a topic conspicuously absent from the four-time world champion’s own pronouncements.
During a tightly controlled media briefing at Silverstone, held within a Red Bull hospitality unit teeming with journalists posing similar inquiries to those at the recent Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen swiftly indicated his disinclination to address questions concerning the 2026 season.
Subsequently, he engaged with Viaplay, his preferred Dutch broadcasting outlet, in a more informal television interview to review the session. “Well, they received very brief responses, which was ideal,” Verstappen remarked dryly.
Given his stance remained unchanged from the prior week, he saw no reason to alter his approach. Reports suggest Mercedes representatives contacted Verstappen to examine possibilities on forthcoming projects, which is a factor that Toto Wolff, team principal, hasn’t renewed George Russell or Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s contracts for the upcoming racing calendar. Russell noted that changing his team in 2026 would be “exceptionally low.”
Integrating F1 with endurance events?
However, in contrast to certain individuals within his inner circle, Verstappen himself exhibits no apparent haste to seek alternative arrangements. He did, however, dismiss the unlikely conjecture of a sabbatical in 2026, before reassessing his options and evaluating which team has adapted best to the impending new regulations.
The notion of a sabbatical was not entirely unfounded, as those acquainted with Verstappen had questioned whether his passion for racing still outweighed his tolerance for the accompanying environment. His emerging GT3 team achieved a class victory at the Spa 24 Hours the prior week; Verstappen was eager to observe the race’s conclusion after Antonelli eliminated him from it at the beginning of the first lap.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images
Verstappen indicated he wants to add GT3 racing to his Formula 1 commitments sometime soon, but he ruled out stepping away from F1 racing before 2028.
“No, no, no. I’m committed to Formula 1,” he confirmed. “I will endeavor to incorporate different forms of racing in the future if possible, as long as I can adequately prepare for them. I intend to explore beyond Formula 1, which I currently do through testing; ideally, I’ll race in other series too.”
Too many questions around 2026
Verstappen acknowledged the uncertainties surrounding which teams will be at the front of the grid in 2026. This is what he and his inner circle are trying to anticipate.
“Indeed. That’s why I’m with Red Bull,” he declared. “I don’t believe anyone can definitively claim they will be comfortable going into next year. There are many unknowns. I can only focus on driving what I have to the best of my ability.”
“Looking at prior regulatory overhauls, few would have predicted McLaren’s rise to prominence. It can take time to align everything. We were initially strong at the start of the new regulations and have struggled toward the end. We need to understand why we didn’t progress as much as other teams.”
“The 2026 season is completely different and requires a different car philosophy. In the past, we initially struggled and then made progress toward the end.”
