Shocking rumour gains traction – Paddock whispers have taken a startling new turn: Max Verstappen, four-time Formula One World Champion and current Red Bull Racing superstar, could be seriously considering stepping away from the sport – at least temporarily. While much of the speculation surrounding the Dutchman’s future has centred on a possible switch to Mercedes or Aston Martin, or whether he’ll remain loyal to Red Bull amid internal upheaval, a new and eyebrow-raising option has now been floated: a full sabbatical in 2026.
The possibility, previously unthinkable to most fans and insiders, was raised publicly by the BBC’s Andrew Benson in the latest episode of the Chequered Flag podcast. According to Benson, who has long been a credible voice in the world of F1 journalism, Verstappen is seriously considering taking a year off in 2026 to reassess his next career move. The information is said to come from a source close to the driver.
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Sabbatical on the table
Until recently, Verstappen’s long-term future appeared to be a relatively closed case. Despite tensions within Red Bull – most notably the ongoing infighting between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko – it was widely assumed that Verstappen would either stay with the team that has brought him four titles or jump ship to a team like Mercedes, where Toto Wolff has been openly searching for a long-term star to fill the void left by Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari.
But Benson has thrown a spanner in the works. Speaking on his podcast, he revealed that a sabbatical has not only been discussed, but is actively being considered by Verstappen and his inner circle. “One of the most fascinating stories surrounding Verstappen is that he may take a sabbatical next year to see how the new regulations develop and then choose a team for 2027,” Benson explained.
He stressed that the information didn’t come through back-door speculation or vague rumours in the paddock. Instead, it came directly from someone he described as “pretty close to Verstappen” – a trusted source with enough credibility that the idea cannot be easily dismissed.
The strategic appeal of a year off
On the surface, the concept of a dominant athlete like Verstappen walking away from the sport in his prime may seem unthinkable. However, the more one examines the circumstances, the more logical the idea becomes.
Firstly, 2026 is a year of transition for Formula One. With sweeping new technical regulations coming into force, the competitive order of the grid is expected to shift dramatically. Power units will change, aerodynamics will be reshaped and cars are likely to behave very differently to the ones Verstappen has mastered in recent years. For a driver as tactically minded as Verstappen, a season on the sidelines could be a way of avoiding a transitional slump while positioning himself perfectly for a new chapter in 2027.
A year off would allow Verstappen to see which teams adapt best to the new regulations. Will Mercedes nail the new power unit? Can Aston Martin’s partnership with Honda deliver front-running performance? Will Red Bull’s in-house engine project crash or soar? A sabbatical would give Verstappen time to analyse the whole landscape before committing to a potentially long-term decision.
Secondly, there are personal motivations at play. Verstappen’s partner, Kelly Piquet, is expecting a baby later this year. The life of an F1 driver involves constant travel, stress and time away from loved ones. A year off could give Verstappen the chance to be fully present for this new chapter in his life, without the demands of a 24-race calendar pulling him across the globe. Few drivers in his position have ever had the opportunity to put family before racing for a season – and still return to a front-running car.
Paddock speculation or real possibility?
As with all big rumours in F1, some are sceptical. Benson himself acknowledged the possibility that the sabbatical talk could be a strategic ploy. “Maybe they’re just playing a game to keep the rumours going,” he said, noting that it wouldn’t be the first time a driver’s camp has created dramatic scenarios to increase their negotiating power or shape the narrative.
But this one feels different. Verstappen is not just any driver – he is a once-in-a-generation talent with an iron grip on the current grid. If he told any team tomorrow that he wanted to drive for them in 2027, they would probably move mountains to make room, possibly even restructure entire line-ups. The power dynamics of the sport give him more flexibility than almost any other athlete in F1 history.
Teams such as Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin would all jump at the chance to sign Verstappen, regardless of his current contract. Only McLaren, with their strong commitment to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, might be reluctant to upset the harmony of their current line-up. Elsewhere, Verstappen would be welcomed like royalty.
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Could Red Bull persuade him to stay?
There’s no doubt that Red Bull would prefer to avoid such a break in Verstappen’s tenure. Despite recent internal tensions and the departure of Sergio Perez at the end of 2024, the team is still built around Verstappen’s driving style and competitive rhythm. A year without him could be a massive setback – not just in terms of results, but also in terms of team morale and technical focus.
Adding to the uncertainty is the future of Adrian Newey. If Red Bull’s legendary design chief leaves for another team, particularly Aston Martin, the foundations of Verstappen’s Red Bull legacy could be shaken. This scenario could push Verstappen further towards the idea of taking a break, at least until the post-2026 picture becomes clearer.
Alternatively, Red Bull could try to tie Verstappen down to a longer-term deal with assurances over car development, leadership structure and teammate compatibility. But given the volatile atmosphere around the team of late, that’s far from a guaranteed outcome.
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The business of waiting
From a financial and branding perspective, Verstappen’s departure may not be as damaging as some suggest. His global profile is massive, and a well-orchestrated sabbatical could even add mystique to his already formidable reputation. Sponsors would likely stay on board and media interest would be at an all-time high. He could spend the year attending selected races, providing technical analysis to a team in an advisory capacity, or even dabbling in other categories of motorsport such as endurance racing or sim racing events.
The precedent is not entirely unknown. Alain Prost took a sabbatical in 1992 and returned to win the 1993 title with Williams. Nico Rosberg retired completely after winning the title in 2016, showing that drivers at the top sometimes choose paths outside the norm. The difference, of course, is that Verstappen wouldn’t retire. He’d simply be waiting for the right time – and the right team – to make his next move.
A season without Max?
If the rumour is true, the 2026 F1 season could be without one of its brightest stars. The idea may seem unthinkable now, but if Verstappen believes it’s the smartest way forward for his career and his life, he has every reason – and all the leverage – to make it happen.
The real shock isn’t that Verstappen is considering a break. It’s that, given the current chaos within Red Bull, the unpredictability of regulatory changes on the horizon and his uniquely high market value, it may be the most logical choice. Whether fans and teams are ready for it or not, the Verstappen era could take a pause – before returning stronger than ever.
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What a difference just six weeks makes in F1. As the season opener loomed into sight in Melbourne, Netbet online bookmakers had Lando Norris the strong favourite to claim this seasons’ F1 drivers’ championship at decimal 2.62. Max Verstappen was second favourite but out at 4.33 which Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc just behind at 5.5. These numbers are the multiple of say a £1 bet and express the rate of return someone betting on various drivers would receive.
Lewis Hamilton was next with odds of 6.5 whilst Oscar Piastri in the team the bookies believed would ace the constructors’ a huge 8.0 opportunity. Now Piastri is the bookies favourite having silenced doubters that he lacks the experience of his team mate as the Australian appears to have conquered his issues with understanding tyre wear.
Piastri had a tough start to the year having been out qualified by his team mate in Melbourne, he pushed him hard from the off until late in the race, a driver error coming into the final corners complex saw the Australian beach his car on the wet grass. Oscar recovered to claim a single point for tenth place, but was already almost an entire weekend being the F1 title favourite, whose odds came in even further as F1 headed to China…. READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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Isn’t Max a “four time F1 WC” why are references made in the above article that he is a “three time WC”. Please get your facts correct before release. Thank you.
Thanks for that, I must be getting old and senile!
Adrian Newey left RB for Aston Martin. Why the article make references to uncertainty about his future at RB?