Now into the 2026 Formula 1 season, Verstappen's future remains a major talking point after he voiced concerns about the direction of the sport and the new technical regulations introduced this year.
The four-time world champion has also expressed unease about the performance and behaviour of the new generation of cars, fuelling ongoing talk about his long-term plans in the sport.
Ford, which has officially entered Formula 1 in 2026 in partnership with Red Bull, has made it clear its project is not dependent on any single driver.
Ford boss Mark Rushbrook has stressed that the manufacturer joined the sport because of its belief in Red Bull as a team, rather than any individual name. He also acknowledged Verstappen’s importance but said the wider programme would remain unchanged regardless of personal decisions.
“We came to Formula 1 to be in Formula 1 and we chose Red Bull because of who they are as a team and their culture, not any single individual,” Rushbrook said. “We would hate to see him leave, but that would not change our commitment to the sport.”
Red Bull has also gone through notable senior departures in recent seasons, adding to questions about stability within the organisation as the 2026 campaign develops. Rushbrook admitted that such changes always raise concerns but said the key is how the team responds.
“You always ask why people are leaving and what it means,” he explained. “But in racing, it is about how you react and how you stay strong.”
Formula 1 now moves deeper into the 2026 season with the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, taking place from May 22 to May 24, where attention will once again be on Red Bull’s competitiveness and long-term direction.
