David Coulthard claims Red Bull have ‘achieved their goal’ even if Max Verstappen were to leave F1

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David Coulthard hopes Max Verstappen decides not to retire from F1, but he feels Red Bull have already “achieved their goal” in Formula 1 even if the Dutchman were to go.

Verstappen has raised serious doubts over his future on the grid beyond the end of this year, as he seriously loathes the new engine regulations. The 28-year-old hates that F1 increased the role that the battery plays in the power unit after chasing a near 50/50 split with the ICE.

His mood has also not been helped by Red Bull producing a dreary start to 2026, as their car built to the new aerodynamic and chassis regulations is seriously lacking. Verstappen called the Red Bull RB22 “undriveable” in Japan, and Isack Hadjar admits their chassis is “terrible”.

Verstappen and new teammate Hadjar have encountered chronic balance problems behind the wheel of the RB22 so far this term. Red Bull’s car produces understeer on turn-in, which Verstappen condemns, and then snaps of oversteer under acceleration that hold them back.

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Red Bull have ‘achieved their goal’ with eight F1 drivers’ titles even if Max Verstappen retires

All in, Red Bull’s woes and F1’s 2026 engine regulations saw Verstappen admit in Japan that he must “figure out” his future in F1 and that he needs to decide whether it is “worth it” to stay. While his contract runs through 2028, a release clause is likely to be available this year.

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Verstappen will have from August to October to use his release clause if he hits the summer break outside the top two in the drivers’ standings. Coulthard hopes Verstappen ultimately sees enough reasons to stay, but his titles have already helped Red Bull to realise their goal.

“Max is a racer,” Coulthard said on ServusTV. “Everything is in his hands. Even if Red Bull never win another world championship, they’ve achieved their goal.

“If he gets the itch, he’ll stick with it. He’s hungry for competition, isn’t afraid to test himself – he’s above all that. I hope he stays. He’s the benchmark, he’s dominated the sport.”

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Red Bull entered F1 in 2005 after taking over the ailing Jaguar outfit, and have since become one of the most successful constructors in history. Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen have won four F1 drivers’ titles each with Red Bull, who also boast six constructors’ titles to date.

While Verstappen’s issues with F1’s 2026 engine regulations have formed the foundations of his angst, Red Bull’s inability to build a competitive car under the new aero and chassis rules have helped to further harm the Dutchman’s mood having so far failed to fight for a podium.

The 28-year-old has not yet finished higher than his P6 in the Australian Grand Prix, when he rose from P20 after crashing in qualifying only for his progress to stall once he caught Lando Norris of McLaren. Verstappen also failed to overtake Alpine’s Pierre Gasly for P7 in Japan.