‘Leftfield’ Max Verstappen paddock rumour has now emerged that would see both Red Bull and Mercedes miss out

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The biggest talking point at the upcoming British Grand Prix is almost certainly going to be Max Verstappen’s future.

Max Verstappen has held firm on his feelings about his Formula 1 future.

Whenever he’s been asked about his plans for next season and beyond, Verstappen has avoided committing to staying at Red Bull.

The last time Verstappen was asked during an official F1 press conference, he said: “I don’t think we need to talk about that.

“I don’t know, do you want me to repeat what I said last year? I don’t know. It’s the same answer.

“I don’t even remember what I said last year, really. But again, it’s not really on my mind. Just driving well, trying to push the performance, and then we focus on next year.”

Verstappen has a contract until the end of 2028 at Red Bull, but whether he plans to fulfil it is another matter.

Links between Mercedes and Verstappen are becoming more concrete, but a move to the Silver Arrows isn’t his only option if he decides to walk away from Christian Horner’s team.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Max Verstappen considering ‘leftfield’ F1 break for the 2026 season

A report from The Race has shared more details about what Verstappen could potentially do next season.

They believe that a ‘leftfield’ idea that emerged during the Austrian Grand Prix suggested that Verstappen might not be choosing between Red Bull and Mercedes for next season.

A theory emerged that Verstappen may feel it is time for a break after 11 seasons in F1, and this is the reason why he wouldn’t commit to fulfilling his Red Bull contract for next season.

Stepping away from Formula 1 next season would give Verstappen the perfect opportunity to work out who the dominant force is likely to be during the upcoming regulation changes.

Verstappen is said to be unconvinced by Mercedes’ claim they’ll have the best power unit in 2026, which is a rumour that has become firmly established in the paddock.

Helmut Marko has explained why Verstappen can’t currently compete in GT3 races, something that he’s becoming more and more excited about.

He regularly takes part in private tests away from race weekends, and even missed the F1 Movie premiere to drive for his GT3 team at Spa.

When he was asked what he thought of the race in Austria after being crashed into on the opening lap by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, he explained: “To be honest, I didn’t really follow the race too much. I was watching the Spa 24.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Who could replace Max Verstappen at Red Bull if he takes a sabbatical next season?

Verstappen deciding to leave Red Bull would be an unmitigated disaster, considering how reliant they’ve become on him over the past few years.

Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson have scored a combined seven points in the second Red Bull car, which would leave them bottom of the constructors’ championship.

The most obvious choice for Red Bull would be George Russell, and Horner has previously held chats with Russell over a potential move.

However, that move becomes far more difficult if Verstappen doesn’t move to Mercedes and instead walks away from the sport, as neither of Toto Wolff’s drivers would have been pushed out.

Isack Hadjar is Red Bull’s favoured candidate to replace Tsunoda at the end of the season, but if Verstappen is gone, then it’s a combination that’s nowhere near strong enough for the team’s ambitions, despite Hadjar’s obvious potential.