Max Verstappen handed F1 future advice as major decision looms

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger has backed Max Verstappen to remain at Red Bull as he theorised the team will make a return to front-running competition in the near future.

Verstappen enjoyed a highly successful stint with Red Bull from 2021 to 2024 with four consecutive title triumphs, before narrowly missing out on adding a fifth to his resumé last year.

Red Bull has endured a more difficult run of form in 2026, leading to speculation over Verstappen's future, which he has refused to confirm when asked in recent months.

While many of the senior personnel from Red Bull during Verstappen's title-winning years have moved on, Berger thinks the Dutchman should back his team's new direction with its own power unit.

“I’m a fan of Max,” Berger told F1. 

“I think he’s an outstanding driver. When I look and see Red Bull, they built a brand-new engine.

“Yes, they got people from other companies, but to compete with the experience of Mercedes or Ferrari, and being competitive already in the first year of doing your own engine, it’s actually quite impressive.”

Verstappen has voiced his frustration with the handling and balance concerns of the Red Bull car at recent rounds.

However, Berger believes Red Bull has the talent in place to navigate a successful form turnaround.

“That they have some reliability failures at the moment, it’s not nice, especially when it’s wings, but the others also have reliability issues. 

“I think if Max continues to work quietly with the team, and they get some more good people on board, I would say in six to 12 months, I see them again being very, very competitive.”