Max Verstappen may very well be open to taking a sabbatical in 2026 as hypothesis surrounding his F1 future grows.
Verstappen’s future has dominated the media headlines throughout this weekend’s F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Speak about Verstappen probably leaving Pink Bull on the finish of the season stemmed from Helmut Marko’s feedback after the race in Bahrain.
Marko mentioned he ‘feared’ Verstappen leaving the crew amid Pink Bull’s poor on-track efficiency.
Reviews within the Italian press have since claimed that Aston Martin are set to desk a mammoth provide for Verstappen value €264m throughout three years.
Nonetheless, there’s been a recent twist in rumours surrounding Verstappen’s future.
In response to respected BBC journalist Andrew Benson, Verstappen may very well be tempted to take a sabbatical and sit out subsequent 12 months.
It could enable Verstappen to evaluate his choices in 2026 to see which crew is performing properly within the new laws.
2026 will see completely new engine and chassis guidelines come into play, that means the aggressive order is unattainable to foretell.
Moreover, his companion, Kelly Piquet, is at the moment pregnant, so it might give Verstappen time to spend along with his new little one.
Talking on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Benson mentioned: “One of the crucial intriguing tales round Verstappen in the intervening time is that he might perhaps take a sabbatical subsequent 12 months, simply see how the principles go after which decide a crew for 2027,” Benson mentioned.
“That’s an concept that was talked about to me with out me even asking by somebody fairly near Max Verstappen, so I wouldn’t rule that out as an thought both. I don’t know whether or not they’re simply enjoying video games after all, simply to stir the pot a bit. However why not?”
Sabbaticals aren’t uncommon, with F1 world champions Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, and Fernando Alonso all taking breaks earlier than returning to the game.
Schumacher left Ferrari on the finish of 2006 however made a shock return with Mercedes in 2010.
Raikkonen additionally left the Italian crew prematurely to make approach for Alonso for 2010.
The Finn would finally be tempted again to the game with Lotus in 2012.
Alonso was fed up with McLaren’s underperformance and stepped away on the finish of 2018.
The break from F1 allowed him to compete within the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona.
The Spaniard returned with Alpine in 2021.
Verstappen has insisted that whereas he’s glad at Pink Bull, he needs to race within the quickest automotive.
This hasn’t been the case for the reason that center of final 12 months as a consequence of McLaren’s resurgence.
Given Pink Bull’s current struggles, Verstappen appears to be like unlikely to win a fifth consecutive drivers’ title this 12 months.
He completed a lowly sixth in Bahrain and needed to wait till the ultimate lap to get previous Pierre Gasly.
Nonetheless, Verstappen’s choices for 2026 are restricted.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff appears glad along with his present driver line-up regardless of exhibiting severe curiosity in Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton’s alternative.
Aston Martin may very well be an possibility, despite the fact that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have contracts for subsequent 12 months.
The Adrian Newey-Honda hyperlink makes it an apparent match for Verstappen, however the Silverstone-based crew’s kind in 2025 shall be a priority.
