Max Verstappen sent clear message over "crucial" team choice for 2026 F1 season

Sky Sports F1 pundit Bernie Collins has warned Max Verstappen that his next team choice ahead of the 2026 regulations could define his career.

It's no surprise that following Max Verstappen's struggles so far this season, there has been intense speculation surrounding his future with Red Bull. Following the Bahrain Grand Prix, where the Dutchman finished fifth after a demanding race of car and technical issues, former Formula 1 strategist and Sky Sports analyst Bernie Collins has put pressure on his decision, which she expects could be made ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show ahead of the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Collins didn't hold back her opinions.

"He definitely is [looking elsewhere for 2026]," Collins said. "You know, and I was just going to pick up on Ted's point and say that someone of Max's ability and his desire - you know, we see this desire to win, this desire to be the best, to get the World Championship - he's not happy unless he's winning races."

She continued, suggesting that while he has deep connections to the Milton Keynes team, he is likely prioritising more potent machinery over his current loyalty to the team.

"And I think, despite all of the water under the bridge or history [with Mercedes], I think he will - I have the impression he'll just go where he thinks is the best chance of winning. Whichever team, on paper, he thinks has the best chance of winning, I imagine will be his preference."

The pundit does however quickly clarify that she's basing this opinion on the "strong desire" she's seen in the reigning champion.

The performance from the squad this year has been of stark contrast to that of previous recent seasons where, in 2023 especially, they showed complete dominance. This season, however, sees Verstappen retire himself from the championship battle.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Andrej Isakovic - AFP - Getty Images

"McLaren are not my rivals right now. I am just taking part in this world championship," Verstappen told Motorsport.com and other media.

If the driver does decide to move on from the team he began his F1 career at, he needs to make the right - and a lucky - decision.

"It's going to be a very tight call, because we don't have all the information about which engine's going to be best, which chassis is going to be best. It's going to be a very, very difficult call, that one," Collins continued.

With reports teasing that Verstappen could indeed trigger his exit clause, releasing him from the contract he holds with Red Bull until the end of 2028, this decision is massive.

"If we look at some of the brilliant world championships that we've had - world champions and some that haven't done so well - a lot of it has come down to this crucial decision of which team to go to.

"You know, Alonso arguably should have scored more if he'd always chosen the right car. There's other champions that have won world championships because they've been in the right car.

"So these decisions are crucial to the next world championship that Max can win, I think. And often we put it down to their driving, but very - you know, in history - a lot of the which car you can get into at the right time has made a big difference as well."