Is Max Verstappen Done With Red Bull? Dutchman's Frustration With Team Grows - Report

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 13:24 IST

Max Verstappen’s criticism of Red Bull in Canada has intensified speculation over his future, with signs increasingly pointing toward a potential exit.

Max Verstappen may have secured his first podium of the season in Canada, but the bigger story surrounding the four-time world champion is the growing tension between him and Red Bull Racing.

The cracks are becoming harder to ignore.

The weekend had started positively for Verstappen. The Dutchman confirmed he expects to remain in Formula 1 in 2027 despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the sport’s upcoming engine regulation changes.

But beneath that optimism sat a familiar frustration, and it surfaced again after qualifying in Montreal.

Verstappen’s Qualms With Red Bull

Verstappen openly criticised Red Bull’s setup decisions, suggesting the team ignored his feedback before eventually realising he had been right all along.

“I told you so" was effectively the message behind his post-qualifying remarks.

While Verstappen’s mood improved slightly after Sunday’s race, where he battled Lewis Hamilton and finished on the podium, the result also came with context.

Mercedes suffered a retirement, while McLaren endured strategic errors. And yet, Red Bull still looked far from dominant.

Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged Verstappen’s criticism but defended the team’s aggressive approach, saying Red Bull would rather continue taking strategic risks than rely solely on the instincts of its lead driver.

That response may not have been what Verstappen wanted to hear.

Max’s Options

For several years now, speculation around Verstappen’s future has never fully disappeared. According to GPBlog, he reportedly held talks with Mercedes in both 2024 and 2025, while fresh conversations with rival teams have continued through 2026.

At the same time, the Dutchman has become increasingly vocal about Red Bull’s shortcomings, while the team itself appears more determined to avoid depending entirely on one driver.

Although Max remains contracted until 2028, there are believed to be performance-related exit clauses in his deal. If Red Bull fails to convince him they can master F1’s next regulation cycle, a departure could become very real.

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