Verstappen's Red Bull Future: 2026 Decision Predicted

Guenther Steiner, former Haas F1 team principal, suggests Max Verstappen will hold off on a major career decision until the close of the 2026 season. Despite earlier rumors linking him to Mercedes, Verstappen recently confirmed his commitment to Red Bull for 2025, but his long-term future beyond that remains a hot topic, especially with the impending 2026 power unit regulation changes.

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen is at the peak of his career, and his decisions have significant ramifications for the F1 grid. With new power unit regulations in 2026, understanding his strategy is crucial for both Red Bull and potential suitors like Mercedes. His choice could shape the competitive landscape for years to come, influencing driver markets and team dynamics.

The details:

• Verstappen's current contract with Red Bull extends until the end of 2028, but it reportedly includes clauses that could allow an early exit.
• Speculation arose earlier this year about a potential move to Mercedes, particularly with the new 2026 power unit regulations in mind, as Red Bull will become a power unit supplier for the first time.
• Ahead of the Hungarian GP, Verstappen officially ended immediate transfer rumors by confirming he would stay with Red Bull for the 2025 season.
• Steiner's Prediction: Guenther Steiner believes Verstappen will assess the performance of all teams under the new 2026 regulations before making any long-term commitments.
  • "Max will wait until the first season with the new regulation in 2026, see which car is good and not so good… and then at the end of 2026 he decides where he wants to be in 2027."
• Illogical Immediate Move: Steiner views an immediate move to Mercedes for 2026 as illogical without knowing their competitive standing, as signing a multi-year deal with a potentially uncompetitive car could be detrimental.
  • "Just to change to Mercedes without certainty that they’ll have a good car in 2026 doesn’t make sense."
  • Steiner also implied that if Red Bull is not a championship contender, Verstappen likely has contractual avenues to explore an exit.

What's next:

The 2026 season will be a pivotal year, not just for the new regulations but also for Verstappen's future. All eyes will be on Red Bull's performance as a power unit supplier and how their new package compares to rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari. Verstappen's decision will likely hinge on the initial pecking order established after the first year of the new era.

• The competitive landscape post-2026 will heavily influence his next career move, as he aims to secure a car capable of consistent championship challenges.
• Expect more rumors and intense speculation to resurface throughout the 2026 season as teams vie for his signature and Red Bull attempts to retain its star driver.