Max Verstappen could take a sabbatical from F1 at the end of his current Red Bull contract at the conclusion of the F1 2028 season.

Max Verstappen to take sabbatical at end of Red Bull contract?

Speaking to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mr Verstappen has insisted that his son will compete his current Red Bull contract.

Verstappen himself recently indicated a desire to see out his Red Bull contract, telling AFP: “That’s definitely the intention.

Speaking to Sky Germany during a visit to this year’s Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes chief executive Ola Kallenius teased that the F1 2026 rule changes will represent “an opportunity” to lure Verstappen, quipping that the Red Bull star “would look good in silver.”

Appearing on the Formula For Success podcast in the summer, former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan claimed that Wolff and Kallenius – as well as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of one-third Mercedes owner INEOS – met in Monaco earlier this year to prepare a “fighting fund” to cover Verstappen’s salary in anticipation of the Dutchman’s arrival.