The future of the four-time world champion continues to dominate discussions inside the Formula 1 paddock
The future of Verstappen
“He stays. He leaves. He takes a sabbatical year. No, he just wants to change teams.” The future of Max Verstappen in Formula 1 continues to be one of the hottest topics inside the paddock, especially during these weeks in which the Circus has been paused due to the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. What lies ahead for the four-time Dutch world champion remains unclear. Verstappen’s recent attitude seems to increasingly suggest a genuine intention to step away from Formula 1, at least for a year, in order to focus on his family and explore other racing opportunities, such as GT competitions and endurance racing in general.
But is this really the mindset of Red Bull’s #3 driver? Not according to Johnny Herbert, former Formula 1 driver and steward who has now become a respected pundit within the paddock. In an interview given to Vision4Sport, the former Benetton, Stewart and Sauber driver suggested that Verstappen may in fact be ‘bluffing’ with his statements and does not truly intend to bring his Formula 1 career to an end after the 2026 season.
Bluff or reality?
“If you are seriously thinking about leaving Formula 1, then I believe you have already made your decision,” Herbert commented. “Because if your mindset turns negative, you are likely to end up saying: ‘Yes, I’m leaving, I’ll go somewhere else’. But everything he has said actually makes me think that he doesn’t want to go. [Formula 1] gives him the chance to show just how good he is, and it remains the most important championship. At the moment it is not the perfect situation, and he is aware of that. But his challenge is still to win the Championship.”
“The Nürburgring Nordschleife? People only remember who won the world title in a given year. I believe Max would regret leaving Formula 1. Would he really turn his back on the most prestigious category in the world? I don’t think so. For him to walk away when he still has so much to offer would not make sense. It’s not just about what he brings to a team or to the Formula 1 paddock bubble; it’s about all the fans around the world who are eager to see him on track. I wouldn’t want to see him go. He still has a lot to give and he still has that ‘wow’ factor,” Johnny Herbert concluded.
In summary, while the rumors of a sabbatical or a permanent exit continue to swirl during this quiet period for the sport, experts like Johnny Herbert remain convinced that the lure of the championship and Verstappen’s inherent competitive nature will keep him on the grid well beyond the current speculation.
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