Theoretically, Max Verstappen should be looking ahead to competing with Red Bull Racing during the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Max Verstappen has won four drivers’ championships on the bounce for Red Bull, and that partnership is set to last for several more seasons.

Verstappen has a contract until the end of 2028, but speculation continues to mount that the Dutchman could leave Red Bull at the end of the season.

Mercedes chiefs have greenlit a move for Verstappen should the 27-year-old decide he wants to part ways with Red Bull.

There have also been suggestions that Verstappen could end up at Aston Martin, although this seems far less likely.

The reason for all of this speculation is the uncertainty surrounding Red Bull’s credentials heading into the 2026 regulation changes.

Red Bull will be building their new engine for the first time, and after the exit of Adrian Newey, his replacement, Pierre Wache, has failed to convince Verstappen’s camp he’s the right man for the job.

Mercedes’ 2026 engine advantage is now concerning Ferrari and Red Bull and ‘spooked’ Max Verstappen

Nelson Valkenburg and Tim Hauraney were speaking on the Nailing The Apex Podcast about next year’s engines.

Specifically, about the idea that ‘tokens’ might be needed to allow teams below a certain threshold to undertake additional work behind the scenes to catch up to the strongest power unit manufacturer.

Valkenburg pointed out that this idea didn’t come from Toto Wolff’s team, as Mercedes are believed to have the best 2026 power unit if whispers in the paddock are to be believed.

This led to Valkenburg explaining: “We believe that Ferrari and Red Bull were the ones really pushing that on.

“I think it also kind of spooked Verstappen a little bit, because in my conversations behind the scenes, you hear, it’s not only pure power, but how will the driveability be.

“How will the reliability be? Can they really compete with the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari, and there is just a fear of that.

“One thing is for certain: if the people around Max want him to have a longer F1 career than he could have, then they need to keep him happy, and I think this is a part of it, this potential move to Mercedes.”Ferrari and Red Bull both have 2026 Formula 1 power unit concerns

If Mercedes do develop the best power unit for 2026, then that leaves seven teams in an awkward position.

McLaren have proved this year that a customer team can easily beat their factory counterpart, and Williams and new partners Alpine will be hoping to beat Mercedes next year.

That leaves Red Bull and Racing Bulls pinning their hopes on their new in-house power unit, Ferrari, Haas and newcomers Cadillac relying on the Scuderia, Aston Martin entrusting Honda with their new engine and Audi taking over Sauber to become F1’s newest factory outfit.

Helmut Marko has privately had doubts about Red Bull’s new 2026 power unit, which is set to be crucial in what’s expected to be an engine-dominated ruleset.

There have been some suggestions that Ferrari’s power unit will be worse than Audi’s, which, given their lack of Formula 1 experience, is a concern.

All of this will be playing into Verstappen’s thinking when it comes to next season.

His safest option might be to stay where he is for a year and assess the situation, rather than gamble on Mercedes or Aston Martin now.