Speculation Mounts Over Verstappen’s Future Amid 2026 Regulation Changes

The 2022 Formula 1 season has been a challenging one for Max Verstappen, and the speculation surrounding his future with Red Bull continues to intensify. Following the Bahrain Grand Prix, where the Dutch driver finished fifth after a grueling race plagued by car and technical issues, former F1 strategist and Sky Sports analyst Bernie Collins has added fuel to the fire, suggesting that Verstappen could make a move ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.

Collins Predicts Verstappen’s Departure from Red Bull

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show ahead of the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Collins didn’t mince words.”He definitely is [looking elsewhere for 2026],” Collins said. “You know, and I was just going to pick up on Ted’s point and say that someone of Max’s ability and his desire – you know, we see this desire to win, this desire to be the best, to get the World Championship – he’s not happy unless he’s winning races.

She continued, suggesting that while Verstappen has deep connections with the Milton Keynes team, he is likely prioritizing more potent machinery over his current loyalty to the team. “And I think, despite all of the water under the bridge or history [with Mercedes], I think he will – I have the impression he’ll just go where he thinks is the best chance of winning. Whichever team, on paper, he thinks has the best chance of winning, I imagine will be his preference.

The pundit does however quickly clarify that she’s basing this opinion on the “strong desire” she’s seen in the reigning champion.

Red Bull’s Struggles This Season

The performance from the squad this year has been of stark contrast to that of previous recent seasons where, in 2023 especially, they showed complete dominance. This season, however, sees Verstappen retire himself from the championship battle. “McLaren are not my rivals right now. I am just taking part in this world championship,” Verstappen told Motorsport.com and other media.

The Importance of Verstappen’s Decision

If the driver does decide to move on from the team he began his F1 career at, he needs to make the right – and a lucky – decision. “It’s going to be a very tight call, because we don’t have all the information about which engine’s going to be best, which chassis is going to be best. It’s going to be a very, very difficult call, that one,” Collins continued.

With reports teasing that Verstappen could indeed trigger his exit clause, releasing him from the contract he holds with Red Bull until the end of 2028, this decision is massive. “If we look at some of the brilliant world championships that we’ve had – world champions and some that haven’t done so well – a lot of it has come down to this crucial decision of which team to go to.

You know, Alonso arguably should have scored more if he’d always chosen the right car. There’s other champions that have won world championships because they’ve been in the right car.” So these decisions are crucial to the next world championship that Max can win, I think. And often we put it down to their driving, but very – you know, in history – a lot of the which car you can get into at the right time has made a big difference as well.

Photos from Saudi Arabian GP – Thursday