Max Verstappen has reasons to consider alternatives to Red Bull in Formula 1, according to Naomi Schiff. For the current Sky Sports commentator, the situation the team is experiencing justifies the four-time world champion looking at other possibilities for the future.
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Speculation about the Dutchman’s stay remains high, with rumors linking the driver to Mercedes and McLaren. Although the four-time champion has decided to continue with the Austrian team in 2026 under the new regulations, his contract reportedly has a clause that would allow him to leave the team if he is outside the top two in the drivers’ championship by the summer break, scheduled to take place after the next two rounds.
During the Sky Sports F1 broadcast at the Belgian GP, Schiff stated that she considers Verstappen’s interest in exploring other options in F1 natural. “Why wouldn’t he be looking around? There was a very strong feeling that he was already doing this last season, but he made the right decision to stay at Red Bull and see what this regulation would bring in terms of who would be competitive and who wouldn’t,” she said.
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“Red Bull has, on paper, the best power unit, but it does not have a competitive package, or at least not one that is consistently fast. I understand why Max wants to look around. He has always said he does not intend to spend another ten years in Formula 1, he wants to do other things afterwards, so he wants to make the most of the time he has in the category,” she added.
Schiff, however, noted that a possible team change would not be simple. “Unfortunately, there are not many doors open in this paddock,” she concluded, emphasizing that the main teams on the grid already have their seats practically defined.
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