Max Verstappen backed to put 'fear' into every F1 driver

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes "every single driver" should "fear" Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman backed to take whatever seat he wants for 2027.

The four-time world champion will race for Red Bull in 2026 for the first campaign of the new power unit regulations, which will also see the Austrian outfit become an F1 engine manufacturer for the first time.

Huge question marks surround Red Bull’s power unit programme and whether it will deliver a competitive enough package for Verstappen to compete for podiums and victories.

If Verstappen does not receive a strong car, he is expected to depart the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Given the four-time world champion’s stature, Herbert believes Verstappen has the power to join whichever team he wants should he decide to quit Red Bull at the end of next year.

"Every single driver on that grid should be worried about their seat for 2027," Herbert told NewbettingSites.uk. "Because Max [Verstappen] is going to be going for one of those big seats unless Red Bull absolutely do an amazing job next season.

"That's the power that Max has. He has this massive ability to make people look in their mirrors when he's coming through the pack. 

"He intimidates you and the intimidation is something he's still going to use when he gets to the point where he's going to pick and choose where he wants to go.

"That is going to be something that the drivers will once again fear. It's far from over as far as the next world championship that's going to be coming his way.

"It’s a guarantee for me there's going to be another one, two or maybe even three or four world championships coming in. He's the guy that can pick and chose and is the dictator of the driver market."