Max Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 has once again become a topic of debate, and former F1 driver and 2009 champion, Jenson Button, made a direct prediction about the four-time champion. The Brit believes that the Red Bull Racing driver should not take a sabbatical if he decides to leave F1.
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Speculation about Verstappen’s future grew after the driver himself expressed dissatisfaction with the 2026 cars and regulations. The Dutchman particularly criticized the way performance needs to be extracted, with greater reliance on the use of the power unit’s battery.
Furthermore, Red Bull’s current situation also contributed to the increase in doubts. The team has not been able to contend for the top positions this season and remains without podiums after the first three rounds, an unusual scenario for the Dutch driver.
Given this context, several rumors emerged that Verstappen might take a career break before eventually returning to Formula 1. Button, however, does not believe in this possibility and sees a different scenario if the driver decides to step away: “Personally, it doesn’t feel like he’s the kind of person who would take a sabbatical. He’s either racing or he’s not,” Button told Sky F1. The Brit also added that, should Verstappen decide to stop, he might choose to pursue other interests outside the category.
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Button went further and suggested that an eventual departure could be definitive: “I think this will be his last ‘career’ in Formula 1. I don’t believe he will take a year off and come back. I don’t think that’s the Max I know,” he added.
Another factor that increased attention on the Dutchman’s future was the confirmation that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the driver’s entourage from 2028. McLaren announced the hiring of the engineer, who has worked with Verstappen since 2016, when the driver was promoted to the Milton Keynes-based team.
For Button, the driver market scenario should revolve around the four-time champion in the coming years: “Max will always be the center of attention, because he is in a car that, at the moment, is not performing. We are used to seeing him at the front, and now he is not,” concluded the Brit.
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