Ted Kravitz explains what Max Verstappen is ‘afraid of’ at Red Bull ahead of the 2026 F1 season

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Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen will be fully aware of how important next season could be in determining his Formula 1 legacy.

Max Verstappen is already a four-time world champion, and it’s not out of the question that he adds a fifth title to his CV this season.

Red Bull could re-focus on 2025 if Verstappen strengthens his title ambitions at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, with both McLaren drivers starting to feel the pressure.

However, the far more likely outcome is the Dutchman doesn’t catch Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship, and attention turns to 2026.

Red Bull have managed to retain the 28-year-old’s services for another year, with clauses in Verstappen’s contract not activating at the summer break.

However, whether he sees out his current deal until the end of 2028 is another matter, with Verstappen admitting Mercedes look well-positioned for next year, despite turning down their most recent advances.

Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz has now been looking ahead to next year and Verstappen’s chances.

He believes the Dutchman is ‘afraid of’ one potential outcome that could lead to his camp exploring his other options on the grid.

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

Ted Kravitz believes Max Verstappen is ‘afraid of’ Red Bull’s 2026 power unit being a failure

Kravitz was speaking on the ainslie + ainslie podcast about Verstappen’s future and explained: “He doesn’t know what’s going to happen next year. No one knows.

“He thinks or thought or people had an idea that because they aced the last regulation change, Mercedes will ace this one.

“But past performances don’t guarantee future success. So, you just don’t know.

“Honda might get it right, which is in the Aston Martin next year, they’re moving from Mercedes to Honda.

“Adrian Newey’s there, so it is wise for him to think, OK, let’s just stay put with Red Bull.

“What he’s afraid of is that Red Bull, who are starting their own engine department and company, he’s afraid that they’re not going to get it right in the first year because nobody, I think, has ever done that.

“You can’t create a whole new engine company and ace a new regulation in the first year. They might, but it would be pretty jolly impressive if they did that.

“That’s what Max is worried about. It’s like, OK, these new guys coming in, Red Bull Powertrains, backed by Ford. OK, that’s great. Are they going to get it right in the first year?”

Georgie Ainslie then says that the options for Verstappen would be Aston Martin or Mercedes for 2027, and Kravitz continued: “Yeah. Well, he could get a Ferrari if he wants. But anyone would have him because he’s just so brilliant.”

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

Ted Kravitz explains what makes Max Verstappen such a ‘natural talent’ in Formula 1

Kravitz went on to talk about why Verstappen is one of the sport’s greatest ever drivers and said: “I mean, you can’t explain the natural talent and the feel, but he develops that, and it’s the complete obliteration of anything else in his life apart from racing and his family.

“And that’s it. He’s not interested in pretty much anything else that I can think of.

“When he’s not racing, he’s doing his sim racing and he’s thinking about how to make the racing better. And when he’s not doing that, he’s devoted to Kelly and Penelope and Lily, his daughter.”

Karun Chandhok suggested Verstappen isn’t in his top five F1 drivers yet, but by the time his career ends, it’s going to be hard to ignore the Dutchman when discussing the sport’s legendary racers.

Verstappen’s recent foray into endurance racing suggests he’s not too concerned with breaking every Formula 1 record before moving on.

Fernando Alonso’s longevity means Verstappen is unlikely to ever break the record for most Grand Prix starts, but he’s quickly closing in on Lewis Hamilton’s tally of 105 victories.

The concern for Red Bull will be if they can’t produce a powerful enough car next year, and Verstappen decides the F1 records he is interested in breaking might be easier to reach with another team in the paddock.