What Max Verstappen has privately told Red Bull’s CEO about his Formula 1 future amid exit rumours

Red Bull Racing will be well aware that they’re on the pricipe of a disaster if Max Verstappen decides to leave the team.

After winning four consecutive drivers’ championships alongside each other, Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s relationship is potentially under threat.

Verstappen latest unbelievable pole position lap has once again papered over the cracks within the team.

His newest teammate Yuki Tsunoda could only qualify eighth and is the latest talented driver who can’t get to grips with their recent cars.

Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez have both been moved on due to their inability to get close enough to Verstappen, and while Red Bull seem happy with how Tsunoda has started, they’ll be wanting him to challenge further up the grid and play a crucial role in the Dutchman’s latest title charge.

However, Verstappen has been linked with some of Red Bull’s rivals despite his current contract not expiring until 2028.

There are get-out clauses in Verstappen’s contract that would allow him to move on sooner, but Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff is remaining calm about the prospect of losing his star driver.

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Red Bull CEO confident Max Verstappen won’t leave their Formula 1 team

Oliver Mintzlaff was asked by Bild if he’s worried about Verstappen leaving Red Bull and said: “No. I’m convinced he’ll continue the long journey he’s taken with Red Bull so far. Max will continue to drive for us in 2026.”

Asked why he’s so sure Verstappen won’t move on, Mintzlaff continued: “On the one hand, it was not without reason that he signed until the end of 2028, and on the other hand, he has recently made his position clear.”

When it was put to Red Bull’s CEO that Verstappen is the only person not talking about his future, Mintzlaff revealed: “Exactly. Max once told me that he started his career at Red Bull – and would like to end it there too.

“As far as I know, that hasn’t changed. We’ve benefited enormously from Max, the best driver in the world.

“But the truth is, he also owes a lot to Red Bull. We’re currently going through a difficult phase, of course, but I don’t have the feeling that this has put Max in doubt.

“As long as the attitude that we want to build the best car in the world is lived out, he’ll pull together with us.

“That’s the only way we can be successful again. And we will. A long-term partnership also means sticking together in difficult times.”

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Max Verstappen could take F1 sabbatical amid Red Bull frustrations

Although Verstappen has remained very calm in the majority of his media appearances this season, it’s hard to imagine he’s satisfied with their current performance levels.

He snuck past Oscar Piastri in qualifying, and the quick street track will make it difficult for anyone to overtake him during the race.

However, the underlying issues at Red Bull could force Verstappen to think long and hard about his next step.

It’s been suggested that Verstappen could take a sabbatical from Formula 1 before assessing his options and seeing who is the dominant force during the next era of the sport.

That raises further questions about how his potential new employers are going to make space for the 27–year-old, but his racing record means it would almost certainly be a no-brainer to bring him in, even if Mintzlaff is confident he’s not going anywhere yet.