Max Verstappen might leave Red Bull and could even consider taking a year off from Formula 1 due to a lack of competitive options, according to reports.
Red Bull has been struggling unexpectedly, and Verstappen, the reigning F1 champion, is currently enduring a six-race winless streak. His once-dominant lead in the drivers’ standings has shrunk to 62 points, with Lando Norris closing in. Verstappen recently referred to his RB20 car as “a monster” after the Monza Grand Prix, highlighting his frustrations.
His unhappiness during race weekends has become increasingly apparent, and now there are reports suggesting that Verstappen is contemplating an early exit from his contract with Red Bull, which is set to run until 2028. According to the German-Swiss newspaper Blick, the Verstappen family has already agreed that Max will not see out his contract, and he wants to leave as soon as possible. However, the big question remains: where would he go?
It’s unlikely that Verstappen will leave in 2025, as the F1 grid for that season is nearly finalized, with Mercedes committing to Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s successor. Nevertheless, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has previously expressed admiration for Verstappen, leaving the door open for future possibilities.
Looking ahead to 2026, new F1 regulations are set to be introduced, and there is speculation that Mercedes could emerge with a highly competitive engine. This could further hinder Red Bull’s development and add to the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s future with the team. However, Mercedes’ faith in a long-term partnership between Antonelli and George Russell suggests that Verstappen might not find an immediate seat with them.
The report also suggests that Verstappen could take the unprecedented step of stepping away from F1 for a year. This would be a surprising move for a driver who has dominated the sport since 2022. While Fernando Alonso previously took a sabbatical before returning to F1, he has not been able to regain his championship-winning form. Verstappen, who has often mentioned the possibility of early retirement, might consider this option as well. At 26 years old, he still holds a 62-point lead in the current F1 standings despite his frustrations with the RB20.
The internal turmoil within Red Bull, involving key figures such as Christian Horner, Jos Verstappen (Max’s father), and Helmut Marko, has only added to the uncertainty. The same report also claims that the departures of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley from Red Bull have played a significant role in Verstappen’s doubts about his future with the team.
