Ex-F1 driver and pundit Johnny Herbert has weighed in on Max Verstappen’s decision to stay with Red Bull for the 2026 season, suggesting the Dutchman’s loyalty may be temporary as he keeps a keen eye on rival teams for a potential 2027 move.
Verstappen’s confirmation during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend quelled speculation about a switch to Mercedes or Aston Martin, but Herbert warns that the reigning champion is likely evaluating his options as Red Bull’s dominance wanes.
While the Briton sees Verstappen’s decision as expected, he also points to Red Bull’s declining edge.
“It’s probably not a surprise that Max has signed up,” he told Grosvenor Casino. “There are instances as we see Max wherever he can pull out one of these amazing races. But of course, they’re few and far between. He’s already said he’s not going to win another one.”
Herbert acknowledges Verstappen’s undeniable talent and potential for more race wins, despite Red Bull’s current struggles.
“But I think there is still definitely another one in his back pocket if he goes to the right circuit and everything’s working well,” he added.
“The car does have a working window and on certain tracks like we saw in Suzuka, he does well.
“The car has got the speed. It’s just not as consistent as the McLaren and it’s not as consistent as it used to be when he was winning World Championships, for example, and the car worked at every single track that they went to.”
Red Bull’s Lost Edge and Verstappen’s Watchful Eye
Herbert points to Red Bull’s loss of key personnel as a major factor behind their diminished development pace.
“Because of all the issues that have happened, with Adrian and Christian and Wheatley all leaving, and all the changes that have happened, they’ve impacted on the car they get to the racetrack,” he argued.
©RedBull
“They haven’t got the same strength as they used to have. They always had this brilliant ability to keep on developing and development this year has not really been there.
“That is where they have started to struggle and where Max is not able to get the best out of the car, and that’s why at certain races, they’re dropping down the order and they’re struggling.”
The decline is so pronounced, Herbert notes, that Red Bull’s sister outfit, Racing Bulls, has shown quicker pace, which was the case in Hungary.
“Then you’ve got Liam Lawson in the sister team actually being quicker than they are,” he said. “I reckon he’s just going to be looking at what the other teams do next year and then make up his mind on where to go next.”
A New Battleground for Verstappen’s Future
With 2026 contracts locked in, attention has shifted to where Verstappen might end up in 2027. Herbert names – quite predictably – Mercedes and Aston Martin as the two teams most likely to vie for the reigning champion’s signature, provided they deliver championship-winning cars under the upcoming regulation overhaul.
“At the moment, there are potentially two seats: Aston Martin and Mercedes in 2027.”
Such a move would mean difficult decisions for both teams, potentially displacing established stars like Fernando Alonso or George Russell.
Herbert underscores Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll’s incentive to secure Verstappen, especially with the team gaining Honda power units from 2026 onwards.
“I think if you were Lawrence, you would definitely push those boundaries to sign Max.”
“With him, you know what you’re getting. You know you’re going to get someone who you can totally and wholly trust, who’s going to give his all at a given weekend and generally give him the car and do the job. If you stick him in a McLaren, for sure, he’d probably be leading the World Champs.”
Loyal for Now, But Eyes on the Horizon
While Verstappen remains loyal to Red Bull for the upcoming season, Herbert suggests the Dutch ace’s ultimate decision will hinge on how the sport’s pecking order develops.
With Red Bull’s edge fading and rivals closing the gap, the next chapter in Verstappen’s storied career promises intrigue and potential surprises.
“Next year around this time, signature time again, the Dutch ace will have a far clearer picture of the F1 pecking order that will emerge by then,” he concluded.
As the 2026 season looms, all eyes will be on Verstappen – not just on track, but in the contract negotiations that could reshape Formula 1’s landscape once more.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook
