Why Max Verstappen really stuck with Red Bull for 2026 and his F1 future is far from set

Daily Mirror

3 days ago

Red Bull have kept hold of four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen for now but rumours of a move to Mercedes or Aston Martin are certain to return soon enough
Do not think for a second that this is the last you have heard of Max Verstappen considering quitting Red Bull. He finally put Mercedes out of their misery this week, confirming he will stay where he is – for now.
‌
But that was only after his results in Belgium last week made it mathematically impossible for him to be able to trigger his exit clause, if he wanted to. It is understood that he did not seriously consider switching this year, but only because now is NOT the time to be making a huge decision about your future.
‌
Like everyone else in the sport, Verstappen wants to see where the chips will fall next year when radical new engine and aerodynamic rule changes will completely shake up the competitive order on the Formula 1 grid. Red Bull are building their own engines for the first time and do not expect to be able to compete with the experienced manufacturers straight away.
‌
The smart money is on Mercedes starting strongest, given they blew away the competition in 2014 the last time F1 brought in new engines. But who knows? Maybe Ferrari will get the jump on their rivals. Or Honda could catapult new customer Aston Martin into contention.
The answer is nobody does right now and that is why Max is biding his time. That exit clause will come back into play next summer, rendering the fact his contract runs until 2028 fairly meaningless.
And if Red Bull are miles off it, no amount of loyalty or preference to stay put will deter him from chasing the quickest car he can get his hands on. The best champions are always hungry for more and Verstappen is certainly not here to make up the numbers. Red Bull may have won this battle for the future of their star man, but the outcome of the war will be decided this time next year.
---
‌
Are 24 race weekends per year starting to get too much for Fernando Alonso's body to handle? The oldest man in F1 turned 44 on Thursday but had to sit out first practice yesterday with back pain, citing a lack of recovery time from last Sunday's Belgium race.
He was back in the car for FP2 and expects to race as usual on Sunday, but it was a sign of his body struggling under the strain of modern F1's demands. Alonso has a contract with Aston Martin for 2026 – we will see if it will be his last.
From the archive
‌
Valtteri Bottas produced his best impression of a bulldozer on lap one of the 2021 Budapest race, as seven cars were hit at the first corner, clearing a path for Esteban Ocon to take his first and only career win to date in the Alpine.
Fast fact
The Hungaroring is a regular site for drivers to win in F1 for the first time, the likes of Oscar Piastri (2024), Jenson Button (2006) and Alonso (2003) having taken their maiden victories here, as well as Ocon.
Inside track
The strong form of Alex Albon for Williams this season has earned him plenty of admirers among the top teams on the grid again. It is understood the British-Thai driver is very happy where he is for now, but he could become a key player in the 2026 driver market picture.