Herbert reads Verstappen’s ‘bluff’: “He doesn’t actually want to leave F1”

Verstappen’s future ‘Remains. No, he’s leaving. He’s taking a sabbatical. No he just wants to change teams.’ Max Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 continues to hold sway within the paddock, especially in recent weeks in which the Circus is at a standstill due to the two cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GPs. What will be the fate of the four-time Dutch world champion is not yet clear. Verstappen’s attitude would seem to increasingly suggest an actual desire to abandon Formula 1 for at least a year, concentrating on his family and on other races such as those in the GT category and in endurance racing in general. But is this really the thought of Red Bull’s #3? Not according to Johnny Herbert, a former driver and steward who has now become a popular commentator within the paddock. In an interview given to the Vision4Sport website, the former Benetton, Stewart and Sauber driver, among others, suggested that in reality Verstappen is ‘bluffing’ in his statements and does not really want to interrupt his adventure in F1 at the end of the 2026 season. Bluff or reality? “If you’re really thinking about leaving F1, then I think you’ve already made your decision – commented Herbert – because if you think negatively you’re likely to end up saying: ‘Yes, I’m leaving, I’m going somewhere else’. But what all his statements make me think is that he actually doesn’t want to leave. [La F1] it gives him the chance to demonstrate what he is worth and it is the most important championship. At the moment it is not the perfect situation, he is aware of that. But his challenge is still to win the Championship.” “The Nürburgring Nordschleife? People only remember who won the world title in a given year. I think Max would regret leaving F1. Would he really turn his back on the most prestigious formula in the world? I do not believe. For him to leave when he still has so much to offer wouldn’t make sense. It’s not just about what it offers to a team or the Formula 1 bubble in the paddock; it’s about all the fans in the world who can’t wait to see him on the track. I wouldn’t want to see him go. It still has a lot to offer and still has that ‘wow’ factor,” said Herbert.