Martin Brundle issues Max Verstappen 'gut feeling' as F1 future remains uncertain

Martin Brundle has revealed that his "gut feeling" is that Max Verstappen will remain a Red Bull driver in Formula 1 next season, although he is also not ruling out the possibility of the Dutchman taking a sabbatical.

The four-time world champion's future remains a major talking point in the paddock, with Verstappen still yet to commit to Red Bull for 2027.

He was asked on media day ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix whether he is committed to the Austrian outfit for next year, but opted against being drawn into discussions about his future.

Verstappen has been linked with a possible move to McLaren, with talks having taken place between the Dutchman's camp and the papaya outfit.

A swap with Oscar Piastri is one of the many rumours circulating in the paddock. However, the 28-year-old's manager believes he will stay at Red Bull, as does Brundle.

"I think Max obviously has a contract if he wants to stay at Red Bull," Brundle told Sky F1. "I'm not sure there are too many other places for him to go. The driver line-ups are largely settled at McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari, and they're the other three top teams. Max is at the fourth, Red Bull.

"So I'm sure they've been looking around behind the scenes because that's the manager's job: to find other opportunities and work out what's going on in the market.

"There's a lot of talk about whether they [Red Bull] might prise Oscar Piastri away from McLaren and do a swap, but that's a lot more complex than it sounds. It's very easy to make that headline.

"I think Max has also learned the hard way that whatever he says will, and can, be taken to mean something else. And, of course, if he doesn't say anything, the same thing happens. So they clearly don't want to speak about it at the moment."

What fascinates the former F1 driver is how much of the conversations are taking place in the public setting of the paddock, rather than away from a grand prix weekend. 

"In a way, it's private business," added Brundle. "It always amazes me how many big meetings and deals are done in the paddock. You'd think they would do that away from a Formula 1 race weekend, but that's not how it goes.

"So my gut feeling is that Max will stay at Red Bull next year. A sabbatical? I don't think it's out of the question either."