Max Verstappen may consider his choices for the future if Red Bull continues to lag behind competitors following the break in the season. and Red Bull have dominated Formula 1 in the previous two seasons. The reigning champions appeared poised for another record-breaking year in 2024. However, adversaries have managed to equal Milton Keynes and shift the balance in the battle for the world championship.
Verstappen had a satisfactory start to the year with multiple race triumphs. However, the Dutch driver now faces tough competition for the first time since 2021. Furthermore, Max Verstappen has gone without a win for four races, a situation he hasn’t experienced since 2020 when he wasn’t even in contention for the world title.
Currently, Max Verstappen is leading the standings with a comfortable lead over second-placed Lando Norris. The Dutch driver has the most victories thus far, giving him an edge in the title race. Nevertheless, if Red Bull fails to make progress after the break, they could risk losing the 26-year-old entirely.
Max Verstappen is currently under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028. Mercedes has expressed strong interest in the reigning world champion on multiple occasions. However, the Dutchman has made it clear that no amount of money would tempt him to join a team with a slower car.
Now, if the Silver Arrows continue to consistently match Red Bull, Verstappen might be open to reconsidering his future at Milton Keynes. It should be noted that Max Verstappen’s father allegedly wants the 26-year-old to leave Red Bull following a disagreement with Christian Horner. With Horner’s increasing power grab, it could further influence the reigning world champion.
However, all of this hinges on one factor: the car. If Red Bull can make up lost ground after the break and regain the fastest car, Max Verstappen would be content to remain with the Austrian team. But if the team falls further down the pecking order, there is no doubt that the Dutchman would assess his options.
Undoubtedly, Red Bull is under tremendous pressure to perform after the break. The Austrian team cannot afford to lose its star driver. Therefore, Christian Horner’s team will be pushing to the limit to reclaim the top spot. However, it remains to be seen how things will unfold in the coming months.
Photo from Max Verstappen Instagram