Loyalty to the Team
Max Verstappen’s fourth world title, secured in Las Vegas, had quelled rumors and speculation about the Dutchman’s potential future away from Red Bull, especially after a challenging season for the team, as evidenced by their 3rd place finish in the Constructors’ Championship. Following the U.S. Grand Prix, Max Verstappen himself stated his intention to remain loyal to the team and continue in F1 as long as he wished. Once he decided to retire, that decision would be final. However, retirement is not something Verstappen is currently considering.
Doubts About the Future
Despite this, former driver and seven-time Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya has serious doubts about Max Verstappen’s continued presence at Red Bull. According to Montoya, the 27-year-old would not be willing to stay if his current team fails to be competitive in the coming years: “He’ll end up leaving in a couple of years,” Juan Pablo Montoya confidently told Istant Casino. “He won’t leave the sport; he’ll leave Red Bull. Yes, it’s tough because he works very hard, has a stable job, and, in a way, controls a lot of what happens (at Red Bull).”
2026 and Mercedes
The factor that could push Max Verstappen to leave Milton Keynes is the arrival of Ford, which will supply power units to Red Bull starting in 2026. If these engines fail to be competitive from the outset, Juan Pablo Montoya believes Max Verstappen could move to another team: “The big question is: will Max behave if 2026 goes badly? If Red Bull comes with their power units and they’re not up to the task, will Max be happy racing in tenth place? No. If Mercedes makes him an offer, he’ll jump ship immediately. It’s very easy to stay loyal when you’re winning races. If I were in his shoes, I’d definitely be considering it already. I’d be surprised if he isn’t. Publicly, he’d say, ‘No way,’ but internally, I’d be surprised if there weren’t already conversations happening.”
Leave a Reply