Journalist: Verstappen could leave Red Bull if 2026 car is uncompetitive.

6 hours ago7 min read

The high-stakes world of Formula 1 is bracing for a potential seismic shift as Dutch journalist Erik van Haren, a figure considered close to Max Verstappen's inner circle, has raised the startling possibility of the triple world champion departing Red Bull Racing should their 2026 car prove uncompetitive. This isn't mere paddock gossip; it's a scenario that could redefine the sport's competitive landscape, echoing past driver moves that reshaped dynasties.The crux of the matter lies in the monumental 2026 technical regulation overhaul, a reset that historically separates the visionary constructors from the followers. For Red Bull, this challenge is doubly immense as they embark on their first foray into manufacturing their own power units, a venture technically assisted by the legendary Ford, a partnership laden with both promise and peril.Van Haren's analysis cuts to the heart of a champion's psyche: Verstappen, a driver whose relentless pursuit of victory draws parallels to Ayrton Senna's uncompromising standards, is unlikely to tolerate a midfield battle. The journalist posits that if the RB22, or whatever the 2026 challenger is christened, fails to immediately fight at the sharp end, questions about Verstappen's future will erupt within mere Grands Prix.The driver market for 2027 would then become his oyster, with potential seats likely available at Mercedes, where Toto Wolff has long admired him, at a resurgent Ferrari, or even at Aston Martin with its ambitious project. Verstappen's current contract, while lengthy, is unlikely to bind him to mediocrity, much like how Lewis Hamilton's move from McLaren to Mercedes was once deemed a risk but was rooted in a belief in a long-term project.The difference here is timing; Verstappen is at his peak and would be wasting prime years. The internal dynamics at Red Bull, following the off-track turmoil earlier this year, add another layer of intrigue.Has the team's foundational stability been compromised? The 2026 season will be the ultimate test of their technical department's prowess without the crutch of a proven engine supplier like Honda. The partnership with Ford, while rich in heritage, is an unknown quantity in the modern hybrid era.If they falter, Verstappen's departure would not just be a blow; it would be an exodus of the very talent that has defined their most successful era, a reversal of fortune reminiscent of Sebastian Vettel's exit from the team. For the sport, a Verstappen move would trigger a driver market frenzy unlike any seen since Hamilton's shock switch to Mercedes, potentially cascading down to affect the careers of Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, and a host of other talents.The narrative of a driver of his calibre, often compared to the greats for his raw speed and racecraft, being in anything but the best car is anathema to the spirit of Formula 1. Therefore, the pressure on Red Bull's technical guru Adrian Newey and the entire powertrains division in Milton Keynes is astronomical.They are not just building a car; they are building the vessel to retain the most valuable asset in motorsport. The 2026 pre-season tests in Barcelona will be more than a technical shakedown; they will be the first chapter in a story that will decide whether the Verstappen-Red Bull saga continues its dominant run or fractures, sending the sport's biggest star on a quest for new glory elsewhere.

#Max Verstappen

#Red Bull

#Formula 1

#driver transfer

#2026 regulations

#team performance

#featured

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