Max Verstappen drops bombshell F1 exit update during Bahrain testing

Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen has issued an interesting update on his future in the sport while also predicting which teams will perform well in 2026.

The upcoming F1 campaign will be the first in four years that Verstappen has entered without being the reigning champion, having fallen short by just two points as McLaren’s Lando Norris secured his maiden triumph in 2025.

Like his fellow competitors, this week the Red Bull man has taken part in testing in Bahrain alongside his new team-mate Isack Hadjar, who has also tested out his new car after replacing Yuki Tsunoda in the driver's seat.

The 2026 F1 season has seen the biggest technical regulation change in years, with engines moving to an even split between internal combustion and electrical power.

The Drag Reduction System (DRS) has also been replaced by the F1 active aero system, which will see shape-shifting cars adapt to the track.

Z-Mode will be used for cornering, with front and rear wings set to keep grip when the car enters corners, while X-Mode will be used for straight-line speed, where wing elements open to maximise efficiency and speed.

Max Verstappen in Bahrain testing (Credit:Getty)

Despite the season’s opener in Melbourne still being 16 days away, Verstappen has already made it explicitly clear that he is not a fan of the new regulations and referred to the sport as “Formula E on steroids” before proclaiming the car as being “not very F1-like” when he spoke on February 12.

Meanwhile, yesterday (February 19), during an appearance on Up To Speed, which is available to listen to now on Global Player and all major podcast platforms, the Dutchman doubled down on his stance, saying that the RB22 is his “least favourite” car of his time with Red Bull before adding that he’s had to change his approach to driving under the new regulations.

Verstappen was then asked whether he has a timeframe regarding his potential F1 exit, to which he replied: “Well, definitely closer to the end, that's for sure! Yeah, I mean, honestly, it's a tough one. I would say, of course, the current regulations are not helping the longevity of my career in Formula One, let's say like that. But it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. I mean, I'm very happy with my career anyway, already in Formula One, I can easily leave it behind. I have a lot of other projects, and also, I mean, who actually cares when you're sixty or seventy years old if you have won four titles or ten because you're getting old. And I'd prefer to spend that with my family and really spend time with them before they are also not there anymore, you know.”

For now, though, the four-time F1 champion will remain fully focused on securing his fifth title in six years in 2026. But who does he think will win the title this season?

When asked who Red Bull’s biggest competitor will be, Verstappen responded: “Well, personally, I think any good team with a Mercedes engine will do well.”

Four teams – Mercedes, McLaren, Williams and Alpine – will use Mercedes power units in 2026.