Max Verstappen's Loyalty to Red Bull "To a Point"
Max Verstappen's former performance coach, Bradley Scanes, suggests the four-time Formula 1 champion is "loyal as hell" to Red Bull, but stresses that this commitment hinges on the team's ability to deliver a winning car, particularly as major rule changes loom in 2026.
Why it matters
Verstappen has dominated F1 with Red Bull, but speculation about his future intensifies with upcoming regulatory shifts and past links to Mercedes. His loyalty, while strong, is ultimately tied to performance, indicating a potential shake-up if Red Bull falters.
The big picture
Earlier this year, Verstappen was rumored to be a target for Mercedes amid Red Bull's internal issues. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff even confirmed discussions, though he downplayed the likelihood of a 2026 move. Verstappen has since reaffirmed his dedication to Red Bull for next year. However, the sweeping rule changes planned for 2026, including significant engine and chassis overhauls, introduce a high degree of uncertainty regarding competitive order.
The details
Scanes elaborated on the High Performance podcast:
- Future Links: "The fastest team and Max will always be linked, and no one's going to know what happens in 2026."
- 2026 Uncertainty: With just nine days of testing before the new regulations, "no one knows who's going to be the fastest," leading to potential significant changes across the grid.
- Conditional Loyalty: "Max is loyal as hell. He will stay loyal, but only to a point." Scanes believes Verstappen will give Red Bull a chance, but "if they don't deliver within that year, then all cards are on the table."
- Prioritizing Victory: Verstappen's primary motivation is winning. "He's not going to sit around for however long he signs for... he's only going to want to win."
Scanes also acknowledged potential off-track distractions, such as media scrutiny, team personnel changes, and the investigation into Christian Horner. Despite these, he believes Verstappen excels at maintaining focus. Red Bull's early belief in Verstappen, giving him a Toro Rosso seat and a clear path to F1, forms the basis of his loyalty. Yet, his unwavering desire to win remains the ultimate driver.