What Max Verstappen’s camp are now saying about his Red Bull future ahead of F1’s 2026 regulation changes

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen is the hottest property in the Formula 1 driver market.

It’s impossible to imagine right now, but it would be fascinating to see what McLaren or Ferrari would do if Max Verstappen suddenly offered his services to either team heading into next season.

Verstappen enjoyed several seasons of Red Bull dominance during the current era of Formula 1, but that appears to be coming to an end.

While he’s proving he has the natural ability to negate some of that deficit, there’s a huge question mark over what happens next season.

Red Bull are building their own power unit, with the help of Ford, for the first time in their F1 history.

That’s one of several unknowns for the 27-year-old going into 2026, and with the likes of Ralf Schumacher backing Verstappen to leave Red Bull, there are plenty of suitors who would snap him up if he decided to move on.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

How Max Verstappen’s camp feel about his Red Bull F1 future

It was put to journalist Jon Noble on The Race F1 Podcast that the current Red Bull driver line-up could end up being Aston Martin’s pairing in 2027, given Yuki Tsunoda’s links to Honda and Lawrence Stroll’s interest in Verstappen.

Noble explained: “I don’t think it is ridiculous.

“It could be one of the options on the table for 2027. I think next year will be fascinating from the driver market perspective.

“From what I understand, and the messaging we’re getting out of the Verstappen camp is that he’s committed there for next season, irrespective of performance clauses and if there was a way out.

“No matter what you’re being promised in terms of performance, and what Mercedes may be saying, or Red Bull is saying on their engine, or an Audi, or anyone, it’s complete guesswork.

“No one knows who’s nailed the power unit next year, no one knows who’s nailed the car, no one knows who’s nailed the fuel, because the fuel spread could be quite immense next year as well.

“So this is why, bide your time into 2026, see where everything shakes up, because if the homologation rules don’t change, if everyone is locked in for a while, then it will become fairly obvious which is the team to be at.

“If Red Bull do nail it and they’re winning again, then Max stays, there’s not a problem.

“If Mercedes have nailed it, that becomes obviously an interesting prospect.

“If Honda have nailed it, then suddenly Aston Martin are there with seats available pending what Fernando Alonso wants to do for 2027.

“But he’s approaching the end of his career. And I think Aston would jump at getting Max Verstappen on if they could.”

Noble goes on to explain that his ‘best guess’ is that Verstappen studies next season’s results before whichever team wins in 2026 becomes his target for his next move in the paddock.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Max Verstappen working harder than ever to help Red Bull amid 2025 difficulties

Verstappen is very unlikely to make any noises publicly if he’s thinking about leaving Red Bull.

His father, Jos, hasn’t hidden his interest in receiving approaches from other teams, given he’s not always been impressed by Christian Horner’s management of the team.

However, the four-time world champion is putting in the work behind the scenes to try and earn a fifth title this year.

Although Verstappen didn’t agree with Red Bull’s thinking on dropping Liam Lawson, his concern was more with the car’s lack of driveability rather than the person in the garage opposite to him.

Verstappen is putting in more hours at Red Bull’s factory than ever before, which shows his dedication to the team.

It’s not something a driver who is immediately thinking of leaving would do, but if Red Bull 2026 car isn’t up to scratch, then his mood could quickly change.