Herbert: “Without a competitive Red Bull, Verstappen will look elsewhere”

The first steps of 2026 Max Verstappen’s statements at the end of the shakedown in Barcelona did not generate particular concerns at Red Bull, even more so after the numerous laps carried out by both the four-time world champion and Isack Hadjar. Except for the mistake made by the former Racing Bulls, which hindered the team’s programme, the new Ford engine has not encountered any problems in terms of reliability, but the Dutch #3 has nevertheless indicated that there will still be work to be done before the Sakhir tests. The relationship between Verstappen and the team In Milton Keynes and Detroit there is therefore a healthy optimism, not entirely shared by a former Formula 1 driver like Johnny Herbert. The Englishman, in fact, does not believe with certainty that Red Bull will be the fastest car of the 2026 season, and this could lead to a serious consequence: that of Verstappen’s departure from the team. Already in the last world championships, especially in 2025, the Dutchman has been linked to Mercedes several times, only to then declare his loyalty to Red Bull, with which he is tied to a contract that will expire in 2028. Herbert’s thoughts For Herbert, however, Verstappen will not remain in the Anglo-Austrian team to “finish second”, which is why the team will have to provide the best car possible to the Dutchman to ensure his presence in the years to come: “He goes faster than everyone else, very clearly, because he knows how the team works – commented Herbert to RacingNews365 – but fundamentally, everything will depend on the car he starts the season with: whether it is the fastest straight out of the pits, one of the fastest or very, very close. It could also vary from track to track. That’s where, as a driver, you always think: what will help me in the next two years to win my next world championship? The only way to do that is to give him a car that he can compete with. But being competitive is one thing: you have to beat, for example, Mercedes. If they don’t succeed, then they’ll look elsewhere, because that’s what drivers do. His fundamental mentality is to win, and when he doesn’t win it’s the same for him, it’s the same for Russell. All the drivers here in Formula E are exactly the same.