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As Formula One returns for its monthlong U.S. swing in Miami, Max Verstappen’s future is under a microscope.
The four-time drivers’ champion has spent the past few months disparaging F1’s widespread rule changes, saying he has not enjoyed racing and comparing the cars to Formula E. He even hinted at an early retirement following the Japanese Grand Prix last month.
“You just think about, is it worth it?” the 28-year-old told BBC Sport last month. “Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?”
Verstappen sits ninth in the drivers’ championship after the first three races, as Red Bull has struggled to build a competitive car under the new regulations. The only time Verstappen missed the top 6 in his career was in his rookie season, when he raced for Red Bull’s junior team.
If Verstappen decides to continue racing after this season, it may be outside of the Red Bull family for the first time since his 2015 debut.
He’s signed to Red Bull until 2028, but he has an exit clause in his contract that allows him to leave Red Bull at the end of the season if he is not in the top two by the summer break, according to The Telegraph.
The summer break follows the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26, which gives Red Bull eight races to bridge Verstappen’s 51-point gap with second-place George Russell of Mercedes. Mercedes was linked to Verstappen last year as a potential replacement for Russell or Kimi Antonelli, though both secured new contracts through at least 2026.
Red Bull is also facing significant staff turnover, including many from Verstappen’s team who have left or are expected to depart. The most recent announcement came from Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen’s longtime race engineer, who will leave Red Bull for rival McLaren in 2028.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies told The Telegraph he doesn’t believe the staff departures will lead Verstappen to do the same. He said the morale at Red Bull is high, though he didn’t seem confident the team would find its way back to the top in Miami.
“I’m not going to say that we like being in discomfort, but the atmosphere right now is fantastic, in terms of trying to turn around what seems to be a difficult thing to turn around. It won’t happen in Miami, [but] I hope we see some signs.”
