Max Verstappen reportedly “wants to leave Red Bull as soon as possible” and may even consider taking a sabbatical to reassess his future. The three-time World Champion has cemented his place as one of the all-time greats in Formula 1, having won 51 of the last 82 races since his first title in 2021. Despite holding a 62-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris in the Drivers’ standings, Red Bull’s mid-season struggles have sparked speculation about Verstappen’s future with the team.

Verstappen, who is contracted with Red Bull until 2028, has recently endured his longest victory drought since 2020, having failed to win any of the last six races since his triumph at the Spanish Grand Prix in June. Rumors linking him to Mercedes, especially after Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari for 2025, have been rampant. However, Mercedes recently promoted young talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli, making Verstappen’s potential move uncertain.

The situation has been further complicated by Verstappen’s deteriorating relationship with Red Bull. According to reports, his bond with team principal Christian Horner has weakened, especially after the departures of key figures like design legend Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley. Questions surrounding Red Bull’s engine project for 2026 have also contributed to Verstappen’s desire to leave the team.

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While Verstappen’s options are limited, with top teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes locked into long-term driver contracts, Mercedes may still be his only potential escape route. However, the team’s commitment to Antonelli and George Russell could make it challenging for Verstappen to find a seat in the near future.

Over the years, Verstappen has repeatedly hinted at retiring young, citing the demands of the F1 calendar as a major factor. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, while confident in keeping Verstappen as long as the team remains competitive, acknowledged the existence of performance clauses in the driver’s contract that could allow him to leave under certain conditions. Horner emphasized that it’s up to Red Bull to provide a winning car, noting that their current deal with Verstappen runs until 2028.

As speculation continues, the future of one of F1’s brightest stars remains in question, with Verstappen potentially considering a sabbatical or exploring limited alternatives outside Red Bull.