Max Verstappen's Red Bull Future Beyond 2026 Questioned by Derek Daly

Verstappen's Red Bull Future Beyond 2026 in Doubt

Why it matters: Former F1 driver Derek Daly questions Max Verstappen's long-term Red Bull commitment. Despite recent dominance, the team's performance dip and McLaren's resurgence raise doubts about Verstappen's plans post-2026 contract.

The big picture: Daly highlights F1's cyclical nature: teams rise and fall. He believes Red Bull is entering a multi-year "trough," echoing past patterns for Williams or Ferrari. A driver of Verstappen's caliber demands competitive equipment.

The details:

• Verstappen has three wins this year, but McLaren's ascendancy limits his consistent championship challenge.
• Daly stated, "Max is looking around... for 2027 onwards."
• He expects Verstappen "will not be content to sit back in defective equipment" and will seek "the best team."
• McLaren's recent victories exemplify a team successfully emerging from a slump.

What's next: The 2026 technical regulations offer a major reset. Verstappen and his management will closely monitor which manufacturers show potential for future dominance, aiming to partner with a rising force.