Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull Racing might come to an unexpected early end, according to well-known Dutch racing driver Jeroen Bleekemolen. Although Verstappen is signed with Red Bull until the conclusion of the 2028 Formula 1 season, there has been growing speculation about a possible move to rival teams. Recent months have seen Verstappen’s name linked with other opportunities as his position at Red Bull faces uncertainty, especially following a dip in the team’s competitiveness.
Bleekemolen suggests that Verstappen might even consider taking a sabbatical from the sport. The Dutch driver, who has always prioritized enjoying his time in Formula 1 over merely extending his career, is not interested in staying in the sport if he doesn’t have the equipment to compete at the top level. The reigning World Champion has made it clear that his main focus is staying in a competitive car, rather than remaining in F1 for the sake of longevity or just filling spots on the grid.
As the 2024 season unfolds, Verstappen remains the favorite to clinch the Drivers’ Championship, but Red Bull’s development of the RB20 has not been as strong as expected, with their performance dipping somewhat this year. If the team fails to rebound by the 2025 season, Bleekemolen believes Verstappen might opt for a break from the sport or a switch to another team. He expressed that Verstappen would not be content fighting at the back of the grid, and should Red Bull falter, a sabbatical or move to a different team could be on the horizon.
In an interview with RacingNews365.nl, Bleekemolen remarked, “If things don’t go well and he finds himself not being competitive, I can definitely see him stepping away. He won’t be interested in just driving for the sake of it.” Furthermore, he noted that money wouldn’t be an issue in resolving contracts if Verstappen decides to make a change, adding that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has previously acknowledged that he wouldn’t force a driver to stay if they didn’t want to be part of the team.
Verstappen was rumored to be a top candidate for Mercedes as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton ahead of the 2025 season. However, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff ultimately decided to focus on developing young talent like Kimi Antonelli, as Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes never fully materialized.
Verstappen’s future remains a hot topic, with many speculating on whether he will stay with Red Bull through the end of his contract or explore new opportunities in the coming years.