Max Verstappen will not stay with Red Bull Racing beyond his current contract

Verstappen was not happy with the 2026 F1 regulations even before they made their debut and warned how bad they would be since 2023 when he got the first taste of the new cars and their power units in the Red Bull Racing simulator.

The Dutchman has cut a miserable figure since the start of the 2026 F1 season when it was clear for all - except Stefano Domenicali and Co - to see how horrible the new power units are and how bad the racing was.

Verstappen has threatened that he would leave and race in other categories if he doesn't enjoy F1 anymore and has been involved in GT3 endurance racing in his off time in 2026 taking part in the 24H of the Nurburgring back in May.

The announcement of changes for 2027 regarding the power units with more power being extracted from Internal Combustion Engine (60%) compared to 40% from the electric component, has made Verstappen hopeful that the situation may become better as he also has to worry about the uncompetitiveness of his RB22 Red Bull Racing have built.

Commenting on the four-time F1 Champion's situation, Patrese said: "We know Max never liked the new regulations and he is still not super happy until they move to 60-40 engine split.

"But of course, if he can have some enjoyment, then probably it reduces his disappointment when he was saying he wants to leave and do 24-hour racing.

"But if he starts to have some satisfaction, then of course for sure I don't think he's going to leave this season. He has signed until 2028 which gives him the chance also to look around at what his future could be."

But the Italian claims that if Verstappen decides to remain in F1, he will not remain with Red Bull Racing beyond his current contract and speculated where his next move will be.

"I don't think he will stay with Red Bull, whatever happens, after that," Patrese predicted. "Mercedes can be a good possibility. They will win the constructors' championship and the drivers' championship, and there is a good atmosphere in the in the team.

"Probably, Kimi and George will stay together. But who knows?" the winner of the 1982 Monaco Grand Prix mused. "If one gets upset, or if Toto [Wolff] wants a bigger challenge because having Max in the team means a lot more media focus on the team, then Verstappen.

"For sure Max was talking with Toto last year, and every week there were stories about Verstappen going to Mercedes. It's not that he's not talking with him still.

"Everybody would like to have Max in their team," Patrese concluded.