Button casts doubt on Max Verstappen sabbatical amid F1 exit threat
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Updated: 20:19, 21 Apr
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Former F1 driver Jenson Button has ruled out the possibility of Max Verstappen taking a sabbatical, instead claiming the Dutchman could leave the sport entirely, never to return.
Speculation surrounding Verstappen's short-term future in F1 is rife amid the four-time world champion's discontent with the 2026 regulations, which he has likened to 'Mario Kart' and labelled "anti-racing."
Following a disappointing P8 finish in Japan, Verstappen then pondered his future in an interview with BBC Sport: "You just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you're not enjoying your sport?"
What's more is that Verstappen has also lost key allies at a struggling Red Bull team - following the departure of motorsport advisor Helmut Marko in December, he is set to lose his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to McLaren in 2028.
Frustrations with the new rules, his team sat P6 in the Constructors' while losing trusted figures, as well as an increased interest in other categories of motorsport, have all led to the suggestion Verstappen could take a break from F1, similarly to Fernando Alonso or Michael Schumacher.
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But for 2009 world champion Button, Verstappen's current F1 "career" is likely to be his last.
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I don't see Verstappen leaving and coming back, says Button
Photo: Race Pictures
Speaking to Sky Sports, former Brawn and McLaren driver Button was asked for his thoughts on Verstappen's situation, and whether a sabbatical was a genuine possibility.
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He said: "Personally, it doesn’t feel like he’s the kind of guy who takes a sabbatical.
"It's either he's racing or he’s not. If he wants to stop and go do something else, that’s fun as well.
“I think this will be his last ‘career’ in F1. I don’t think he’ll take a year out and come back. I don’t think that’s the Max I’ve come to know.”
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Button tips Verstappen to be centre of driver market after Lambiase exit
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The Briton was then asked to comment on the upcoming departure of Verstappen's race engineer of ten years 'GP' Lambiase, and whether it was possible the Dutchman could follow his right hand man to McLaren.
GPblog understands that Verstappen's Red Bull future is becoming increasingly clear, as staying in Milton Keynes appears to be an option that clearly ranks below several other possibilities.
Button pointed to the strong bond between Verstappen and Lambiase, noting that the latter's exit could make a Verstappen exit from Red Bull all the more likely in upcoming seasons.
"Only a few weeks before it was announced that Lambiase was going to McLaren, Max came out and said ‘I can’t ever imagine racing with him by my side’,” Button said.
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“But it’s 2028, it’s another two years ago. We’ll see.
“But it’s exciting, there’s so much to look forward to with the driver market over the next few years.
“Max is always going to be the centre of attention because he’s in a car, at the moment, that’s not performing. We’re used to him being at the front, and he’s not."
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