Max Verstappen could accidentally force 176-race F1 driver off the grid in 2026, Robert Doornbos says

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Max Verstappen’s future may be about to take a dramatic turn as Formula 1 approaches its summer break.

The reigning champion may have a clause in his Red Bull deal that allows him to leave the team if he is placed low enough in the drivers’ championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix.

In other words, if the next two races go badly for Verstappen, he might end up with the option to explore other teams for the 2026 F1 regulations.

The Dutchman has been linked with a move to Mercedes, who have no drivers under contract for next year, but that could mean one of George Russell or Kimi Antonelli has to find another drive.

After a difficult Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen could leave Red Bull for one ‘very simple’ reason, with the recent upgrades brought to the team’s car not really working.

Verstappen has ‘one foot’ in Mercedes’ cockpit for 2026 and talks could now intensify as the summer break approaches. Big changes could be coming.

READ MORE: F1 fans tell Max Verstappen to ‘find another team’ after what Christian Horner just said at the Austrian Grand Prix

Robert Doornbos thinks Max Verstappen could accidentally force Lance Stroll off the F1 grid in 2026

Verstappen could ruin one F1 driver’s career in 2026 if they become teammates, with Helmut Marko backing the 27-year-old to excel at Mercedes if partnered with Kimi Antonelli.

Robert Doornbos reckons that the Silver Arrows are Verstappen’s most likely destination, and that it would leave George Russell searching for a seat.

As a result, he predicts that Russell will join Aston Martin, leaving Lance Stroll without a seat for the first time since 2017.

“I predict that Kimi will keep the seat at a top team, and he will get a four-time world champion next to him,” he told The Pit Talk podcast. “George will leave Mercedes, there are many customer Mercedes teams out there next year, and I think that would be an option.

“Another option would be for him to join Aston Martin. That they [are going to] say ‘Goodbye Lance [Stroll], thank you for your services,’ and then we take a proven race winner with George Russell.”

READ MORE: Red Bull director considering ‘huge’ Max Verstappen decision to avoid 2026 F1 exit after ‘crisis’ manager talks

Timo Glock has heard one rumour that suggests Max Verstappen is in the ‘wrong car’ for 2026

Despite the recent trajectory of the team’s car development, even Marko pulled a u-turn on Verstappen’s Red Bull future and is more confident than ever that he will stay.

But with every poor result, he continues to slide closer to his rivals at Ferrari and Mercedes in the championship.

It’s part of the reason why Timo Glock thinks Verstappen is in the ‘wrong car’ for 2026, especially if he stays at Red Bull.

Nobody quite knows how much change will come with a transition to new rules, but they are going to be some of the biggest alterations in the sport’s history.

Those who have invested in infrastructure and prepared well should reap the rewards. Some teams might even jump from the back to the front and vice versa. It’s all unknown and makes any switch a risk for Verstappen.