“Get Out While You Can”: Is It Time for Max Verstappen to Abandon Red Bull Before It’s Too Late?
Max Verstappen may be a three-time World Champion, but after months of mounting pressure, technical decline, and political turbulence inside Red Bull Racing, the once-unthinkable question is now on the table: Should Max walk away—before his legacy gets dragged down with the team?
Some believe the answer is a resounding yes.
With Red Bull’s performance faltering in 2025 and internal fractures deepening, high-profile voices in the paddock are beginning to suggest that Verstappen’s best shot at a fourth world title might no longer lie with the team that made him a champion.
Red Bull’s Downward Spiral: The Decline Is Real
After an era of domination, 2025 has exposed cracks in Red Bull’s armour. The once-flawless RB20 has been replaced by the RB21—a twitchy, temperamental machine that struggles with tyre degradation, aerodynamic instability, and inconsistent race pace.
Meanwhile, rivals like McLaren and Ferrari have surged forward. At multiple tracks this season, Red Bull has not only been second best—they’ve been off the podium altogether.
Gone are the days of 20-second margins and untouchable pole positions. Now, Verstappen is fighting for scraps—and frequently losing ground to Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and even Mercedes’ improving package.
Penalty Points, Public Pressure, and Paddock Politics
Then there’s the mental toll.
Verstappen sits just one penalty point away from a race ban. His clash with George Russell in Spain cost him dearly—both in points and in reputation. In Canada, Russell nearly baited him into an illegal overtake under Safety Car, a psychological trap that Verstappen narrowly avoided.
Internally, Verstappen is growing visibly frustrated. His post-race interviews are sharper, colder. His relationship with team boss Christian Horner appears tense. Red Bull’s public loyalty has never wavered—but behind the scenes, whispers suggest Verstappen feels increasingly isolated.
Why Mercedes Could Be the Escape Hatch
At first glance, Verstappen moving to Mercedes sounds improbable. But not impossible.
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Toto Wolff has made no secret of his admiration for Verstappen—and after Hamilton’s departure, the team is hungry for a new alpha driver.
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Mercedes is rebuilding fast, with Antonelli showing promise and the 2026 regulation reset on the horizon. They’re spending heavily. Planning boldly.
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Verstappen would walk in as the centrepiece—not just of a team, but of a comeback story.
Imagine the narrative: Max Verstappen, conquering both Red Bull and Mercedes eras, cementing himself as a generational great.
What Happens If He Stays?
If Verstappen stays at Red Bull:
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He risks being trapped in a car that’s no longer evolving.
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He risks his career being defined by 2021–2023, while rivals like Norris and Piastri build legacies in real time.
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He risks the one thing no champion wants: irrelevance in a sport that moves on fast.
Yes, loyalty is noble. But F1 is not about nostalgia. It’s about winning.
Our View at 99 Bends
We’ve seen it in our own sim leagues: sticking with a team that’s no longer evolving is a slow death for a driver’s ambition. Verstappen has nothing left to prove—except that he can win in more than one environment.
If Red Bull is no longer the fastest car…
If the politics continue to spiral…
If the spark is gone…
Then maybe it’s time.
What Do You Think?
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Should Max leave Red Bull before the 2026 rule reset?
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Would Mercedes offer him the best shot at a fourth or fifth world title?
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Is legacy more important than loyalty?
Let us know @99bends on Instagram or drop your thoughts below. Because if Max does jump ship—the entire grid changes overnight.
– Keith
Director, 99 Bends Trackside Singapore
“F1 moves fast. Legends move faster.”