At Red Bull, they’re no longer looking only at the present: 2026 is starting to raise concerns, and the focus is on Max Verstappen. Even though he’s under contract, the new era and the new engine could change everything. Are there real chances he leaves?
At Red Bull, they’re starting to look at 2026 with a mix of excitement and concern. And it’s not just about the new regulations or how Formula 1’s pecking order will shake out: what truly worries them internally is a real possibility that’s already being talked about more openly now, that Max Verstappen might not stay with the team beyond that year.
Right now, the Dutchman is the face of the project, the driver everything has been built around during this winning cycle, and the one who has held the sporting structure together for seasons. But even with a contract in place, in F1 signatures don’t guarantee anything if performance starts to slip. And that’s the central point here: Red Bull knows that when the big 2026 change arrives, the advantage they managed to build could disappear overnight.
The article notes that the fear isn’t about an internal conflict or personal burnout, but something much simpler and far more decisive: what kind of car Red Bull will have in the new era. Because Verstappen might be the best driver on the grid, but if the package isn’t up to par, the margin shrinks fast. And when that happens, doubts, rumors, and speculation start to grow.
On top of that, 2026 doesn’t only bring aerodynamic changes. It also brings a major shift at the heart of the car: the power unit. And that’s where Red Bull are playing a huge card. The team will move forward with its own project through Red Bull Powertrains, in partnership with Ford, a massive step for an organization that for years relied on engines from established suppliers. It’s an ambitious move, yes, but it’s also a risk zone in a landscape where Mercedes, Ferrari, and other brands arrive with full factory experience.
In this scenario, the concern turns into an uncomfortable question: what happens if Red Bull are no longer the benchmark team when the rules change? Because Verstappen has always been competitive, but he’s also been clear throughout his career: he wants to keep fighting at the front. And if 2026 brings a real reshuffle, with other teams making a leap forward, the market becomes inevitable.
What you can read between the lines is that Red Bull can’t afford a slow start in the new era. Not only because of the championship, but because of what it means to keep their biggest star. A driver like Verstappen, with titles, age, and status to choose where to race, is exactly the kind of piece any top team would try to lure if even the smallest window opens.
That’s why the message underneath it all is simple: Red Bull don’t fear losing Verstappen out of sheer whim, they fear it because 2026 could change everything. And when Formula 1 enters a new era, guarantees don’t last long. If the car doesn’t deliver, not even the champion is locked in forever.