Max Verstappen might leave Formula One in 2026 if the new rules don't make racing “fun.” He has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, but he might end it early if things aren't right.

His future has been a hot topic in 2025, with people wondering if he'll switch to Mercedes instead of staying with Red Bull.

Toto Wolff wanted Verstappen for 2026, but Verstappen's recent statement suggests he might not even be available for 2027.

My contract goes to 2028, but it depends on the new rules in 2026, and if they are nice and fun,” Verstappen told PA before the Qatar race. “If they are not fun, then I don't really see myself sticking around.

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Winning seven titles isn't my goal. I have three more years after this one, so it’s possible, but I don’t need to do it before I leave. I could leave tomorrow.

I have other interests, like different racing types. I want to spend more time with my family and control my own schedule. Once I quit, I won't come back. I’m done for good.

Verstappen wants to race in the Nurburgring 24 Hours next year, having gotten his DMSB Permit A earlier this year. He also has sports car racing plans.

“I would definitely like to do Le Mans,” he said last year. “I went there when my dad raced, and the vibe is amazing. It’s long, there are many people, and you drive at night and see the sunrise—it’s really cool.”

Verstappen talked to Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, about racing together at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “I’ve been talking to Fernando about it,” he said. “He only wants to do it with me again. That would be really cool.”

“The thing is, Le Mans doesn’t have a minimum driver weight. I’m a heavy driver, so I need light teammates to make up for it. Fernando is light, so that’s good, but we need one more—I have to find someone!”

Formula 1 fans are unhappy after McLaren's bad weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix. The three-way championship will now be decided in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.

McLaren started strong at the Losail International Circuit, locking out the front row. But they finished in second and fourth place after making the wrong call during an early safety car period.

Oscar Piastri kept his lead, and Lando Norris fell to third behind Max Verstappen at the start. When Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly crashed, the safety car came out. While everyone else pitted, McLaren stayed out, which turned out to be a mistake.

Norris had a chance to knock Verstappen out of the championship fight in Qatar. Now, the battle goes to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Norris leads Verstappen by 12 points, and Piastri trails Verstappen by four.

Fans have been sharing their opinions, and many are critical of McLaren's strategy.

One fan wrote on Reddit, I just rewatched the race... Did McLaren really think they could beat a Verstappen who's still trying to win the championship? McLaren has made some crazy decisions this season, but this was too much.

Another fan said, I'm just feeling negative about it all.

Someone else commented, After hearing about the tire issue earlier in the weekend, I thought everyone would pit during any VSC or SC after lap 7. I was shocked when two McLarens stayed out. Missing an easy stop was a bad idea right away. They just needed to be a little careful, but they weren't. Another added, This is one of the biggest screw-ups I've seen in a while!

Other comments included, "I think they knew they messed up but tried to keep Lando's spirits up," and "Typical McLaren strategy call." Based on hope, not reality.

One fan wrote, If I quit my good job and tell my wife, 'I have more freedom in my career,' she'd divorce me the next day. The number of pit stops required was limited in this race. You don't need a supercomputer to figure out the possibilities and better odds. Mess around, and you'll get a bad result.

A very unhappy fan added, It's a huge mistake. Everyone was questioning it during the race—commentators, drivers, everyone. It seemed like everyone was shocked by McLaren's choices. They could have easily gotten first and second or first and third between Oscar and Lando. Either way, Max would have been out of the title fight.

Instead, they've created a tense three-way championship decider in Abu Dhabi. McLaren is lucky that Lando passed Antonelli on the last lap. Those two extra points could save Lando in the end.

Other than that, there's nothing good for them. They had no excuse to mess it up since Max was clearly slower, but they did it anyway.