Apr.1 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s growing frustration with Formula 1 has triggered fresh speculation he could take a sabbatical in 2027 – potentially stepping away while still under contract with Red Bull.
British media reports suggest the team would prefer to retain the quadruple world champion long-term, even if that means allowing him time away from the sport.
The rumours come amid clear signs that Verstappen’s motivation is fading under the new 2026 regulations and Red Bull’s struggles.
“Every morning when I wake up, I tell myself that it’s going to be a good day,” Verstappen said.
“I get excited about working with the team, and then I get in the car and start driving. My motivation at that moment is like a battery – it’s full at first, but it runs out very quickly.”
Dutch journalist for De Telegraaf, Erik van Haren, who is close to Verstappen’s camp, admitted the situation is unprecedented.
“I have never seen Max Verstappen like this,” he said.
For now, Verstappen is recharging away from Formula 1 at the Nurburgring, testing privately ahead of a planned NLS race and ultimately the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
But the problems may not be limited to the F1 car.
There are also signs of ongoing internal strain at Red Bull, with long-time mechanic Ole Schack – working on Verstappen’s side of the garage – reportedly leaving the team after a shift in the working atmosphere.
At the same time, Verstappen’s relationship with the new Red Bull leadership structure is under scrutiny, with reports he was summoned by team boss Laurent Mekies after the ejected-journalist incident at Suzuka.
Parent company figure Oliver Mintzlaff is said to be applying significant pressure amid the team’s downturn. “He knows only one management tool – pressure,” a former employee reportedly said.
Former driver Giedo van der Garde believes Verstappen’s patience is wearing thin.
“I think Max is disappointed in his team and in his car,” he said.
“To be very honest, I think Max is also going to look at another team, if Red Bull is not going to take those steps in the coming months.”
Even on the other side of the garage, concerns about performance are clear.
“We have a good engine, everything is fine with it,” said teammate Isack Hadjar. “The problem is the chassis – it’s just terrible.”
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES