Max Verstappen’s demands for staying at Red Bull in 2026 shared with £9.5m-a-year F1 rival now ‘under more pressure’

The Formula 1 driver market is yet to spring into action, but it won’t be long until teams begin to confirm their line-ups for next season.

Six teams already have two drivers signed up for the 2026 F1 season, with an 11th team, Cadillac, set to make their debut alongside Audi.

However, one of the stars of F1 who is at the centre of the driver market speculation is Max Verstappen, despite his contract running until the end of the 2028 campaign.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is confident that Verstappen will be racing for him next year, but until every other seat on the grid is filled, he might not be completely convinced.

Mercedes have long held an interest in Verstappen, with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli both out of contract.

Verstappen is said to have turned down a move to Aston Martin, but other teams in the paddock wouldn’t be against hiring the four-time world champion.

Journalist Ralf Bach has been discussing the 27-year-old’s future and believes he knows what Red Bull need to do to keep their star driver.

It turns out the bar might not be set that high, although one of his rivals might be under more pressure than expected, which could open up an unlikely next step for the Dutchman.

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Red Bull need to give Max Verstappen the ‘slightest hope’ of F1 race wins to stay in 2026

Bach was speaking on F1 Insider’s YouTube channel about Verstappen’s future and explained: “I don’t know if he’s looking. He’s still in the discovery phase, as I understand it.

“He’s just very loyal, and if he sees even the slightest hope at Red Bull of still being able to compete for race wins, podiums and the drivers’ world championship, I can imagine him staying.

“The thing is quite simple. Now, we’re talking about it again: will any driver be replaced?

“Basically, every team, including Toto Wolff despite his great success, has to ask itself this question, completely rationally and without emotion.

“How can I strengthen my team? How can I make my team even stronger?

“If you can get Verstappen and the team boss, no matter who is in charge, is of the opinion that Verstappen is an asset, then of course, you have to take him into account.

“And that applies to Red Bull anyway, to McLaren too, and of course to Mercedes too.

“Whether that will happen, I don’t know. But I wouldn’t start by talking down the fact that Norris is currently under more pressure than Piastri.”

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Lando Norris feeling the pressure at McLaren after Canadian Grand Prix crash

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has consistently said that he believes Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are the best driver pairing on the grid.

They currently sit first and second in the drivers’ championship, but Piastri is beginning to open up a lead at the top of the standings.

Norris, who earns £9.5m-a-year at McLaren, made his most costly mistake to date at the Canadian Grand Prix.

He drove brilliantly in Montreal to catch Piastri after failing to nail a lap during qualifying, but crashed out of the race after running into the back of his teammate.

Norris may be feeling the pressure going forward, although it’s unlikely to lead to McLaren seeking alternative drivers in the market.

However, if Verstappen theoretically did offer his services to McLaren, Brown would have a very difficult time justifying retaining Norris over Piastri.