Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
Ex-F1 driver turned pundit Karun Chandhok reiterated his belief that Max Verstappen could take a sabbatical from Formula 1, which may allow him to return “reinvigorated”.
Verstappen is under contract at Red Bull until the end of 2028, though that has not stopped speculation over his Formula 1 future, not only due to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff making his desire to lure Verstappen away public, but Verstappen himself has hinted at leaving the series in the coming years on several occasions.
Karun Chandhok sticking to Max Verstappen sabbatical theory
Additional reporting by Sam Cooper
According to Chandhok, Verstappen is expected to skip the F1 2026 season, which will introduce new chassis and power unit regulations. After carefully evaluating the situation, he will then determine the most suitable team to make a comeback with.
Mercedes driver George Russell has since provided a very similar theory of his own about a Verstappen sabbatical.
And in a piece for The Intercooler, Chandhok stuck to his guns, citing Verstappen’s “open” ambition to race in categories outside of Formula 1, which he thinks adds weight to his Verstappen prediction.
Chandhok wrote, “I caused a bit of social media chaos a few weeks ago when I suggested that Max Verstappen could consider taking a break from F1.”
Red Bull’s season has had a controversial start, with an ongoing dispute between the complainant and Christian Horner. This disagreement seems to have caused tension between Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, and Horner, resulting in a disrupted relationship within the Verstappen camp. As a result, there has been considerable speculation about Max’s future with the team.
Although I am unsure of Max’s decision to leave Red Bull for another team, he has openly expressed his desire to explore different avenues within the sport and not commit to Formula 1 indefinitely. His passion lies in racing and driving, which can be pursued beyond the confines of F1.
It is evident that Max is excelling at an extraordinary level, and he possesses the potential to take a break and return even stronger if he desires. Since the tender age of four, he has been tirelessly dedicated to kart tracks and globetrotting.
At the young age of 24, he fulfilled his ultimate goal of becoming the F1 World Champion in 2021. It is highly likely that by the conclusion of this year, he will secure his fourth World Championship title. I ponder if he is seeking a fresh endeavor to rediscover his passion and return with renewed energy.
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Lando Norris’ win in Miami and Charles Leclerc’s victory in Monaco have cast doubt on Verstappen’s chances of becoming a four-time World Champion by the end of the season. However, Verstappen remains unfazed and is not considering the possibility of a title battle at this point.
When questioned by various media outlets, such as PlanetF1.com, at the Monaco Grand Prix about whether the competition has truly begun or if it is premature to make such claims, Verstappen stated, “I don’t even consider that. There is a significant amount of time left, and numerous unforeseeable events can occur.”
The Championship won’t be defined by just one bad race.
“I am aware that achieving a championship requires consistency, and that is precisely what we must strive for.”
Verstappen currently leads this season’s Drivers’ Championship by 31 points over Leclerc.
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