Patient Verstappen stresses ‘loyalty’ as Red Bull prepares for 2026

Max Verstappen has once again underscored the importance of "loyalty" to Red Bull when discussing his Formula 1 future, particularly with the significant rule changes looming in 2026.

Although the three-time world champion is contracted to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, recent rumors have linked him to rival teams like Mercedes and Aston Martin, especially as F1 prepares for a new era of regulations that could potentially disrupt the current competitive hierarchy.

The inception of this new era in 2026 will mark a pivotal moment for Formula 1, with not only new car designs but also new power units coming into play.

These changes could shake up the grid, potentially threatening the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s current dominance. When asked about the implications of these upcoming regulations, Verstappen shared his measured outlook.

“I would have to say that in some places the cars might be a little bit slower in terms of lap times, but I would also have to say that when new rules come in it’s always difficult to predict whether the impact will be positive or negative,” he told Formula.hu.

“Personally, I prefer to take a middle position and say let’s wait and see what happens. I was the same way with the current rules, watching: is this going to be good, is this going to be bad?

“Fortunately for me, it worked out very well as the team became competitive, but with the new rules you really never know.”

• Read also: Verstappen no fan of ‘fortune tellers’, embraces mistakes

Having joined Red Bull’s senior team in 2016, Verstappen has witnessed the team’s evolution firsthand.

From the struggles of the final Renault-powered years to the bold decision to switch to Honda engines in 2019, the Dutchman been an integral part of the team's journey. And his loyalty was rewarded when he clinched his first title in 2021, driving a Honda-powered RB16B.

Looking ahead to 2026, Verstappen faces a future where Aston Martin will run Honda engines, Mercedes could replicate their dominance from the 2014 regulation change, and Red Bull will, for the first time, design and produce their own engine.

Amid these uncertainties, Verstappen emphasized the "loyalty" that binds him to Red Bull Racing, and vice versa.

“I think the most important thing is not to make decisions based on emotion, because that will always get you back,” he said. “I’m a patient person myself, I don’t over-worry things.

“Of course it means a lot and I appreciate the fact that I have a very long history with the team. Loyalty is very important and I think it is not always there in F1.

“Fortunately in my case, it is there and I think it is mutual for us. Key people stay with the team and now we have our own engine project.”

Despite the challenges Red Bull faces in developing their own engine to compete against manufacturers with decades of experience, Verstappen remains cautiously optimistic.

“How is it going? I’m very confident, but we have to be realistic. We have to fight against people who have been making engines for over a hundred years.

“They have a lot of experience, but of course we have also signed a lot of people.”

As he navigates this uncertain landscape, the 26-year-old maintains his characteristic calm and pragmatism.

“I’m the same as with the new rules, I prefer to take a middle ground,” he added. “I don’t want to be too positive or too negative. I stay in the middle. You have to be patient.

“A lot of things have to stay together or come together and I also have to think about the future, what will happen after 2026. So I am patient.”

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