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Johnny Herbert would be “very surprised” if Max Verstappen follows through on his threats to retire from F1 after 2026, but he is sure the Dutchman will leave Red Bull.
Verstappen has created serious doubts about his future in Formula 1 beyond the end of this season, due to his disgust of the new engine regulations. The four-time champion has often voiced his contempt for the increased role that the battery now plays in the engine formula.
Such has been his disdain for the new engine regulations that Verstappen has threatened to retire from F1 at the end of this season, unless he sees significant changes to the power unit rules. While he is under contract to Red Bull through 2028, his deal includes release clauses.
Red Bull have also failed to provide Verstappen with a front-running car under the new aero and chassis regulations introduced this year. Verstappen called his Red Bull “undriveable” in Japan last time out, and Isack Hadjar even lamented the RB22’s “terrible” chassis at Suzuka.
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Johnny Herbert backs Max Verstappen to join Mercedes, McLaren or Ferrari over retiring
Verstappen will have from August to October to use his release clause, should he wish to, as long as he hits the summer break sitting outside the top two in the F1 drivers’ standings. He is highly likely to have the right to break out of his Red Bull contract based on his form so far.
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But while Herbert is convinced that Verstappen’s days as a Red Bull racer are numbered, the idea of the Dutchman retiring does not sit well with the Briton. Instead, Herbert believes an adventure at Mercedes, McLaren or Ferrari could see Verstappen find the “buzz” he desires.
“Max, we know he’s not very happy about the situation,” Herbert told The Mirror. “Is this move, that is to say Lambiase’s, almost confirmation in a way that Max is on his way at the end of the season, too? The question is, where to?
“We know he’s very hungry to race in something that gives him that buzz. And there are three manufacturers: One of those is Ferrari, one of those is McLaren, and one of those is Mercedes, who he almost joined this season.
“We all know what Toto [Wolff] thinks of Max and how highly he regards him… There have long been rumours about Max leaving [Red Bull]. It hasn’t happened yet, but those rumours haven’t gone away. For me, for sure, it’s going to happen at some point.
“I don’t think he’ll leave the sport. I’d be very surprised if that happened. Max just needs that freedom to enjoy life, enjoy driving.
“The lovely thing about Max [is that] he wants to have that thrill of driving. He’s not quite getting it at the moment with the way that Formula 1 has gone. Mekies certainly has got a lot to deal with!”
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Mercedes team principal and co-owner Wolff has long dreamed of signing Verstappen, but a chance to steal him from Red Bull has not emerged. And while Wolff has ruled out Mercedes signing Verstappen for 2027, his comments came before the Dutchman threatened to retire.
Now, it is thought that Wolff is almost certain to target Verstappen again, but he could face competition from McLaren and Ferrari. Reports have also suggested that Verstappen could replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in 2027, as his arch-rival is expected to retire this season.
Likewise, while Zak Brown has ruled out replacing Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, it has been reported that McLaren could be in the race to sign Verstappen. It is said that McLaren would be more likely to replace Piastri with Verstappen if a chance to sign the Dutchman emerges.
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