Max Verstappen “won’t be” at Red Bull at the start of the F1 2026 season amid persistent rumours of a move to Mercedes. That is the opinion of former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos, who believes it will “be difficult” for the team to convince the newly crowned four-time World Champion to stay beyond next season.

Max Verstappen, after clinching his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship, made a bold statement, suggesting that he could have secured the title even sooner if he had been driving for McLaren or Ferrari.

Jos Verstappen has insisted that Max Verstappen will see out his current Red Bull contract despite interest from Mercedes for F1 2026.