Red Bull warned they will be ‘completely lost’ if Max Verstappen leaves the F1 team

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F1 pundit Marc Surer has warned Red Bull over the effects that a Max Verstappen departure would have on the team, asserting that the Austrian constructor would be ‘completely lost’ without him.

Since voicing his initial frustrations with F1’s new regulations in pre-season, Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull has been under intense scrutiny.

A sabbatical, and even retirement, has been tipped for the four-time world champion, who has found an escape from his annoyances in F1 by competing in the NLS GT3 category in his spare time.

Some figures in the F1 paddock think Verstappen is playing a strategic game with his comments, in hopes of the FIA potentially amending the regulations into something he is more aligned with.

However, an exit for the Dutchman seems to be a legitimate concern for Laurent Mekies, who has recently expressed his hopes that Red Bull’s upgrade for the upcoming Miami GP will see Verstappen start smiling again.

• READ MORE: Ralf Schumacher doubts ‘impatient’ Max Verstappen will give Red Bull the time they need

Marc Surer says Max Verstappen cannot walk out on Red Bull during 2026 ‘even if it hurts’

During an interview with Total Motorsport, former F1 driver Marc Surer detailed how difficult an exit for Verstappen would be on both the sport and his Red Bull Racing team.

Damon Hill recently shared his opinion that F1’s ‘share price’ would tank upon Verstappen’s departure, a sentiment that is shared by Surer due to the Dutchman’s public criticisms of the new regulations.

He said, “If the best driver leaves the category, for a reason [like the new regulations], it would be very bad for the image of Formula 1.

“I think we all agree he is the best at the moment in Formula 1, and if he walks away, it would be very bad for the image of Formula 1.”

The Swiss-born driver then changed his attention to Red Bull, detailing how the Austrian constructor would be ‘completely lost’ without Verstappen’s talents leading their charge in F1.

“It would be very unfair for the team if he leaves during the season,” Surer said, before adding, “So, I think he should finish this year, even if it hurts, because it was his team and he won four championships with them.

“When there are bad times, it’s important to stick together and at least support them during this season because they need him. Without him, they’re completely lost.

“And the other thing is I think he deserves a better car, and I’m sure he can go wherever he wants if he, if he really tries to, to change.”

• READ MORE: Red Bull are hoping Max Verstappen decides to stay when he sees ‘incredible’ £65m wind tunnel

Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz have been linked with replacing Max Verstappen at Red Bull

Of course, a departure for Verstappen would create a void at Red Bull that isn’t likely to be completely filled by anyone else on the F1 grid.

However, Williams’ driver duo of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz have both been linked with a return to the Red Bull set-up in replacement of the 28-year-old.

The Austrian constructor is keen on recouping some of the £8.7m that was invested in the Thai driver’s junior career, with a recent report suggesting that Albon is a ‘candidate’ that Red Bull deem suitable to replace his former teammate.

Another report has detailed how Sainz is currently in ‘pole position’ to fill Verstappen’s void. Both Albon and Sainz have been frustrated by Williams’ rocky start to the 2026 campaign, and there is no doubt that both drivers would be willing to inherit a drive at a frontrunning outfit.