F1 Today | Verstappen drops major F1 future hint, more sprint races as of 2027?

Verstappen has seemingly dropped another clue suggesting his Formula 1 career will continue beyond the end of the 2026 season. The indication comes from a promotional campaign published on his official website and social media channels, where fans are encouraged to secure their place in the Max Verstappen Grandstand at the Red Bull Ring.

The initiative invites supporters to once again join the Orange Army at the Austrian Grand Prix, a fixture that has become one of the Dutchman's signature home-away events. Although the campaign makes no direct reference to Verstappen's contractual situation or future plans, the promotion is centred on the 2027 edition of the race. While that cannot be viewed as definitive confirmation that he will still be on the Formula 1 grid, it does suggest the four-time world champion expects to remain active in the championship beyond the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.

Speaking to Sky Sports at Silverstone, Stefano Domenicali indicated that Formula 1 is moving towards increasing the number of Sprint weekends in future seasons, arguing that the format has proven popular with fans and adds more on-track action across the weekend. He suggested that further details will be revealed when the next calendar is officially announced, with Sky Sports reporting that the number of Sprint events could increase to nine or 10 per season.

The Formula 1 calendar currently features six Sprint weekends, with four already completed in China, Miami, Canada and Great Britain. The remaining two are scheduled to take place later this season in the Netherlands and Singapore. If the total were to rise to nine or 10 while maintaining a 24-round championship, the overall number of races, including both Grands Prix and Sprints, would increase to as many as 34 over the course of a single season.