Verstappen: 2026 a question mark for everyone

The introduction of new F1 changes is always a chance for some team to make a breakthrough and maybe find an advantage over its rivals.

That was the case with Mercedes at the start of the turbo-hybrid era back in 2014 as they utterly dominated the championship as Red Bull were only able to catch up in 2021 when Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the drivers' crown while Mercedes kept their constructors' title.

Red Bull aced the current "ground effect" F1 rules and dominated in 2022 and 2023 and while they started 2024 in strong form, they lost their way in development and McLaren caught up with them, passing them in the constructors' championship while Lando Norris is breathing down Verstappen's neck in the drivers' standings.

Combined with the instability within Red Bull following the Christian Horner sexting scandal and with many major figures leaving the team, Adrian Newey being the most high profile, Verstappen's future within the team has come under questions with rumors he was courted by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and more recently, the Dutchman was linked with a move to Aston Martin where Newey is moving in 2025.

With Red Bull's current form and with 2026 looming, there is a lot at stake for Verstappen whose contract runs with the team till 2028 especially as they will be developing their own power unit this time with Honda leaving them for Aston Martin.

But the triple F1 champion who reportedly has performance-related exit clauses in his Red Bull contract will have several options come 2026, especially if his team do not deliver a fast car.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Verstappen was asked if it felt good to have options in 2026, he said: "Yes, of course, I know it's possible, but I'm not really thinking about it right now.

"I think at the moment I have enough to worry about with other things we want to do better," he added. "We will see what happens in the future.

"At the moment I am not really thinking about it too much, to be honest. But if it doesn't happen, then so be it. It won't change my life," Verstappen insisted.

And while the quality of Red Bull's 2026 car is not guaranteed, Verstappen insisted that could be the case for all the other teams.

"Of course it is [a question mark], but you can say that about everyone," he said. "It's a completely new car and engine. It's a question mark for everyone, also for the people who think they are in the best position right now.

"There's always the question of whether you really did such a great job and it will stay that way [until the 2026 season starts]," Verstappen concluded.

Verstappen currently leads Norris by 52 points in the 2024 F1 championship with six races remaining, the first of which is the US Grand Prix this weekend where Red Bull are planning a major upgrade for their RB20.