Max Verstappen’s immediate Formula 1 future is locked in at Red Bull, but it is expected that the four-time champion will use the 2026 season to assess the team’s position before making a decision on his next steps.
This is the opinion of former Red Bull driver David Coulthard, who suggested Verstappen wouldn’t «jump on the next horse because your own didn’t win» unless the team proves to be in trouble at the start of next year’s all-new rules cycle.
Verstappen was known to be entertaining talks with Mercedes over a potential drive for next year, but he pledged that he would remain at Red Bull for 2026 — coinciding with the arrival of Laurent Mekies as team principal in place of Christian Horner.
Coulthard, who remains an ambassador for Red Bull, believes that Verstappen will give the team the chance to show it can either deliver in 2026, or demonstrate the building blocks for long-term success.
It has been rumoured that Red Bull’s 2026 powertrain — developed in conjunction with Ford — may not be among those at the front in the initial stages of next year; if there is a sustained performance shortfall, Coulthard sees Verstappen finding a way out of his contract.
«There’s no black and white answer. It’s very personal, isn’t it? But I do believe — you know Max. I know Max — I absolutely believe in his integrity, I believe in his loyalty,» Coulthard told Autosport at the More Than Equal event in Zandvoort.
«But equally, he’s a racing driver. He’s not here because it’s fun to just go round in circles. He has a commitment to the team. He’ll give the team the opportunity to deliver him what they previously delivered him.
«The same group of guys that delivered him a winning car are now delivering him a car that has won this year. So it’s not as bad as Ferrari. It’s just not a McLaren. And therefore, you know, you don’t just jump on the next horse because your own didn’t win.
«The answer to your question is it’s in Max’s hands. But I suspect he’ll look at ’26. If there’s a major engine issue with the Red Bull power units, that would be concerning, I’m sure. If that doesn’t look bad, if let’s say the power unit’s working but they’re still trying to figure out a new regulation in the car, that might give them more time.
Coulthard believes Verstappen would only move from Red Bull in the case of serious struggles in 2026
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
«But if it’s a struggle, of course he’s going to go somewhere else. He’s got the right to go somewhere else. And I don’t think anyone in the team would be offended by that.
«And I know one thing, Max would go and look them in the eye and say: ‘I’m making this decision because of that’. Because he’s an honourable guy. He’s not someone that just would leave.»
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff spoke about a potential future with Verstappen, stating that there’s a «50%» chance that the Dutchman could end up with the team in the future.
When that was put to Coulthard, he reckoned that there was also a chance that Verstappen could end up at Ferrari at some point — and that it ultimately depended on where he could «be himself», rather than any financial returns.
«I can see [Verstappen going to Mercedes]. But does that mean I know it will happen? Of course not,» he added.
«There’s a 50 percent chance he’ll end up at Ferrari, I guess. He will go wherever the best opportunity lies to have a winning car.
«Max will not go where there’s just money, because he’s already earned the success of his career. He will go where he believes he can be himself.»
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