Max Verstappen Backed for Swift Red Bull Exited A...read more

Max Verstappen Backed for Swift Red Bull Exit by F1 Fans as Speculation Intensifies

Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull Racing is under increasing scrutiny, as speculation around a potential early exit from the championship-winning team gains momentum. While Verstappen remains under contract with the Milton Keynes-based squad until the end of the 2028 Formula 1 season, a recent poll shows that the majority of F1 fans believe he may not see out that deal — with many expecting him to walk away even sooner.

According to a the media poll, a staggering 88% of fans believe Verstappen will leave Red Bull at some point during his F1 career. Among them, 39.9% predict he will exit at the end of the current 2025 season — a clear indication of growing doubts about the team’s long-term trajectory. Only 13% believe the Dutchman will honour the full term of his contract, while a mere 12% think he will remain with the team indefinitely.

This surge in speculation comes amid a period of uncertainty for Red Bull Racing. Despite their dominant performance in recent seasons, including multiple titles for Verstappen, internal team dynamics and future development plans have sparked concern. Reports of tension within the leadership structure — particularly in the wake of the Christian Horner investigation earlier in the year as well as questions about the team’s preparedness for the sweeping regulation changes set for 2026, have only fueled the narrative.

Verstappen, now 27, has made it clear in previous interviews that he is focused on performance and long-term project alignment. While he has not publicly indicated a desire to leave Red Bull imminently, he has also stopped short of offering ironclad commitments to staying through 2028. The driver has also been linked with interest from rival teams, including Mercedes, who are actively seeking a long-term replacement for Lewis Hamilton following the latter’s move to Ferrari for 2025.

Should Verstappen choose to leave Red Bull early, it would represent one of the most seismic shifts in recent F1 history. Having built his career around the team, joining their junior program as a teenager and making his F1 debut with Toro Rosso (now RB) before being promoted to Red Bull Racing in 2016, Verstappen’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the Austrian outfit. However, his ambition to remain at the pinnacle of the sport particularly in light of the upcoming 2026 power unit changes and the anticipated performance reshuffle may prompt a strategic rethink.

For now, Verstappen continues to deliver strong results on track, but as fan sentiment begins to shift and paddock whispers grow louder, the question of where his future lies is becoming impossible to ignore. Whether it’s a calculated departure or a reaffirmation of loyalty to Red Bull, the next 12 months could be pivotal in shaping the next chapter of his already illustrious career.