Max Verstappen’s growing frustration could push him to consider a sabbatical year as early as 2027, a scenario that was still unthinkable a few months ago.
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The unease is increasingly visible in Max Verstappen. The four-time world champion no longer hides his lack of pleasure behind the wheel since the introduction of the new technical rules in 2026.
His feelings are particularly revealing: “Every morning, I tell myself it’s going to be a good day. I’m motivated with the team, then I get into the car… and my motivation drops very quickly,” he confides.
A striking comparison, where he evokes a motivation similar to a battery that drains quickly. A worrying signal for a driver accustomed to dominating and displaying unwavering determination.
The hypothesis of a sabbatical year
Faced with this situation, an idea is beginning to emerge: that of a temporary break in 2027. According to several British media outlets, Red Bull Racing would be ready to accept this scenario to keep its star driver in the long term.
Such a decision would be exceptional in Formula 1, especially for a driver still under contract. But it reflects the extent of the current unease and the desire to preserve a relationship that has become fragile.
Dutch journalist Erik van Haren, close to Verstappen’s entourage, confirms the scale of the situation: “I have never seen Max like this,” he explains.
A refuge far from F1
To clear his head, Verstappen has chosen to temporarily step away from the paddock. He recently returned to the track at the Nordschleife, at the Nürburgring, as part of private GT3 tests.
This return to basics allows him to find “purer” driving sensations, far from the constraints imposed by current F1. It is also a way to mentally recharge the batteries in a heavy context.
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But the difficulties are not limited to the track. Behind the scenes, Red Bull Racing is going through a turbulent period. The announced departure of his long-time mechanic Ole Schack, on Verstappen’s side, illustrates a deterioration of the internal atmosphere.
The relationship with the new management is also under scrutiny. The driver was reportedly summoned by Laurent Mekies after a media incident at Suzuka, a sign of a more tense climate. At the same time, Oliver Mintzlaff, the CEO of the Red Bull group, is reportedly exerting significant pressure on the team to reverse the sporting trend.
A patience that is wearing thin
Some observers believe that Verstappen could quickly reach a breaking point. Former driver Giedo van der Garde does not hesitate to mention a possible departure.
“I think he is disappointed with his team and his car. He could look elsewhere if things don’t change quickly,” he analyzes.
Even in the second seat, the criticism is severe. Isack Hadjar admits bluntly: “The engine is good, but the chassis is terrible.”
Between loss of motivation, internal tensions, and lack of performance, all signals are red for Max Verstappen.
The option of a sabbatical year, once unimaginable, is now becoming credible. And if nothing changes quickly, this crisis could well profoundly reshape the future of the champion… and that of all of Formula 1.
Read more Max Verstappen returns to the Nordschleife for a Mercedes test