Formula 1 is looking to the future with a question that is becoming increasingly important across the paddock: what would happen if Max Verstappen truly decided to step away from the sport? This is a question that goes far beyond driver market speculation, because it touches the very identity of Formula 1 itself. The topic was raised by former Red Bull driver Mark Webber, who offered a clear analysis of the four-time world champion’s current situation.
The discussion is rooted in a Red Bull team that is no longer as dominant as in recent seasons. The Milton Keynes squad remains at the front of the grid, but the technical advantage that once overwhelmed the competition has gradually shrunk. McLaren has made a huge step forward, Mercedes has returned to winning form, and Ferrari, despite still clear structural limitations, has reduced the gap in several key areas.
In this context, Verstappen finds himself fighting much more than before. It is no longer just about results, but about long-term perspective. The new technical regulations for 2026, especially in terms of power units and energy deployment, do not fully convince the Dutch driver, who has repeatedly expressed doubts about the direction modern Formula 1 is taking. Many drivers see the current era as increasingly complex from a regulatory point of view and further removed from the pure essence of driving.
Red Bull no longer dominant: the weight of new rules and an uncertain future
Webber’s comments clearly reflect the current situation. The Australian explained that keeping Verstappen is an absolute priority not only for Red Bull, but for Formula 1 as a whole.
“Of course Red Bull desperately wants Max to stay, that is incredibly easy to predict. Looking at it holistically, and at the sport as a whole: if you have someone like him… drivers like Verstappen are exactly what the sport needs. We need these people. People turn on the TV to watch Max Verstappen, and Liberty Media knows it. The teams know it. It is important.”
This goes far beyond sporting value. Verstappen has become the defining benchmark of this technical era, the driver capable of shifting the balance even when the car is no longer clearly superior to its rivals. And this is exactly where one of Red Bull’s current issues becomes visible: the team is no longer able to consistently provide the same technical margin that defined its recent dominance.
The departure of key figures, internal tensions, and rapidly improving competitors have changed the landscape. Verstappen continues to make the difference, but it is no longer enough to guarantee complete dominance for the RB package. And when a driver of his calibre senses that a project may be losing technical direction, it is natural that thoughts about the future begin to emerge.
Webber also addressed this point directly. “If the incentives for him decrease, combined with his experience – and I am not saying for a second that he is losing motivation, but of course it fades very gradually – then he has earned the right to make choices. He has a trophy cabinet full of success, he has given everything year after year, and that gives him the freedom to decide.”
Verstappen is the ultimate reference point of modern Formula 1
The Australian’s reflection highlights a central truth: Formula 1 needs figures capable of raising the competitive level of the entire grid. Verstappen, today, is exactly that driver.
It is not just about wins or statistics. The Dutchman has become the technical and mental reference point that everyone else must measure themselves against. Every race weekend pushes engineers, team principals, and rivals to go beyond their limits. His presence directly elevates the overall level of competition.
Webber used a strong comparison to explain this dynamic. “In short, it is very important that we keep Max in the sport, because he lifts every driver on the grid to a higher level, and that is exactly what Formula 1 is about. You have to be constantly pushed.”
“It is like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. If Rafa is not there, Roger is pushed to that higher level, and vice versa. You need someone who keeps you awake at night, and Verstappen has been doing that for a long time.”
This is a pattern that has defined every great era in motorsport: Senna and Prost, Schumacher and Häkkinen, Hamilton and Alonso. The presence of a true generational talent forces everyone else to constantly reinvent themselves.
And that is why Formula 1 cannot afford to lose Verstappen at a moment when the sport is preparing for one of its most delicate regulatory revolutions. The 2026 rules represent a major technical unknown, and the championship needs its leading figure at the centre — the driver who best represents competitive excellence today.
Webber, while closely following Oscar Piastri, did not hide his final view. “Personally, when it comes to being neutral – and of course I am biased towards Oscar Piastri – but if I look at the sport neutrally, then of course I want Max to stay in Formula 1.”
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