Only Verstappen keeps faith in Red Bull: But for how long?

If the decision were up to the ones around Max Verstappen, it would be simple: the Dutchman should leave Red Bull Racing after this season. They consider the situation of the Austrian squad to be hopeless for this and the next season, as GPblog has learned.

There's no doubt about Red Bull's good intentions to make the RB21 a serious contender against the Mclarens, but there simply isn't any belief in their success. And will a team, that continues to miss the mark, be capable of building the best car with the new technical regulations coming in 2026?

There's scarcely any confidence in the power unit by Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) that will be in the back of the cars next season. After all, Red Bull lacks the experience and quite possibly the knowledge to build a competitive engine. Recall that Ferrari, Honda, and Audi have all encountered constraints in building the ‘26 engine, and those are actual automakers for whom this is core business - unlike Red Bull.

There is, however, confidence in the power unit currently being developed by Mercedes. Interestingly, at that team, there are currently two seats open for 2026. Team principal Toto Wolff has indicated he sees no reason not to extend the contracts of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. But the ink is not yet on the paper. Why not? It certainly plays into the fact that Max Verstappen might become available on the driver market.

Verstappen has been advised by those around him for a long time to leave Red Bull and opt for a switch to Mercedes instead. Wolff is undoubtedly aware of this. There is less confidence in terms of the ambitious Aston Martin team, which reportedly has a fortune to secure the four-time champion, than in Mercedes.

A small, but not insignificant detail: Max Verstappen is the one who must ultimately decide on his future. Yes, the champion listens to his confidants, but he must fully stand behind his choice for 2026 - whether that be Red Bull, Mercedes, or something else. Therefore, the upcoming races are all the more important, starting in a little over two weeks in Imola. Can Red Bull make a forward step with updates against the expectations of the people around the Dutchman? And will McLaren be within reach for the Austrians?

If the answers to these questions are positive, maybe Verstappen will stick to what he had in mind in recent weeks: stay with Red Bull. But if the Austrian team continues to decline, he might well take his confidants' advice to heart. Toto Wolff, on behalf of Mercedes, is certainly keeping a close watch on all this, ready to strike at any opportunity.