Red Bull told Max Verstappen WILL leave if Mercedes C…read more
Red Bull Racing have been warned that they could still lose Max Verstappen to Mercedes if they fail to get on top of Formula 1’s sweeping 2026 regulation changes, despite the Dutchman’s long-stated loyalty to the Milton Keynes outfit.
As the sport prepares for one of the most dramatic technical overhauls in modern F1 history, all 10 teams are deep into preparations for the new era. The 2026 regulations will introduce major changes to chassis design, aerodynamics, and—most significantly—power units. With the championship approaching, teams recently completed a private shakedown in Barcelona, offering the first glimpse of how prepared each manufacturer might be.
Red Bull emerged as one of the major talking points from the test, largely due to the fact that they completed their running without any major power unit failures. This was particularly noteworthy given that 2026 marks the first season in which Red Bull will compete using their own in-house engines, produced by Red Bull Powertrains in partnership with Ford. Considering the scale of the challenge, their early reliability was viewed as an encouraging sign.
However, Mercedes may have sent a stronger early message. The Brackley-based team reportedly completed close to 500 laps during the Barcelona running, underlining the apparent robustness of their new power unit. While private testing offers no definitive indication of competitive performance, reliability is expected to be a decisive factor under the new rules—and Mercedes appear to be ahead in that department.
Verstappen’s own testing programme in Spain did not unfold smoothly. Red Bull’s plans were disrupted after his new team-mate Isack Hadjar suffered a significant crash, delaying running time. Across the test, Red Bull managed just over 300 laps between their drivers, considerably fewer than Mercedes. Verstappen himself admitted that the RB22 remains “a work in progress,” reinforcing the sense that Red Bull still have ground to make up.
With Verstappen entering a critical phase of his career, the 2026 season could prove decisive for his long-term future. Although he remains under contract and has repeatedly stated a desire to spend his entire Formula 1 career with one team, there are performance-related clauses believed to be tied to the new regulations. If Red Bull fall significantly behind once the competitive order becomes clear, his position may change.
Former Formula 1 driver and ex-FIA steward Johnny Herbert believes Red Bull cannot afford to merely challenge Mercedes—they must beat them. Speaking to RacingNews365, Herbert warned that Verstappen’s ultra-competitive mindset leaves little room for compromise.
“Challenging is one thing,” Herbert explained. “But you’ve got to actually beat teams like Mercedes. If Red Bull don’t, then Max will look elsewhere. That’s what racing drivers do. He’s not in Formula 1 to finish second.”
Herbert went on to highlight that Verstappen’s mentality mirrors that of other elite drivers across the grid. “Lewis Hamilton is the same. Charles Leclerc is the same. George Russell is the same. They’re competitive animals. Ultimately, it comes down to what the team can provide.”
Verstappen was heavily linked with a move to Mercedes ahead of the 2025 season, with team principal Toto Wolff openly expressing admiration for the four-time world champion. While Verstappen ultimately recommitted to Red Bull last summer, speculation has never fully disappeared—especially with Mercedes expected to be strong under the new engine rules.
The 2026 Formula 1 season will officially begin with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The opening race is scheduled for March 8, with lights out at 3pm local time. Before that, teams will take part in two rounds of pre-season testing in Bahrain, running from February 11–13 and February 18–20. Those sessions are expected to provide a clearer picture of which teams have mastered the new era—and whether Red Bull have done enough to keep hold of their star driver.
