Max Verstappen hints at 2027 F1 sabbatical after Red Bull struggles
Max Verstappen has warned a 2027 Formula 1 sabbatical could be on the cards after Red Bull’s engine struggles left him ‘not mentally doable’ to race next season.
The four-time world champion told reporters this week that the current engine regulations and Red Bull’s poor form have made a break from the sport a real possibility. “If it stays like this, it’s going to be a long year next year, which I don’t want,” Verstappen said. “It’s not mentally doable for me to stay like this.”
GPBlog reports Verstappen has held talks with McLaren over a potential switch, while Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, confirmed earlier flirtations with the Silver Arrows last year. With Verstappen increasingly unhappy and Red Bull’s performance slipping, a one-year absence in 2027 now looks plausible: and it wouldn’t be the first time a top driver walked away to return stronger.
Verstappen’s frustration isn’t just about results. He’s called the current rules “not mentally doable,” and Red Bull’s struggles this season have left him searching for motivation. A sabbatical would let him reset, much like Alain Prost did in 1991 after losing his Ferrari seat. Prost sat out a year, then landed at Williams and won his fourth title on return.
Niki Lauda’s two-year break in 1980-81 offers another blueprint. After calling Brabham “boring” in 1979, Lauda stepped away to focus on his airline business. McLaren lured him back in 1982 with a big-money offer: and he won his third title that season.
Kimi Räikkönen’s 2010 sabbatical shows the dangers. Dropped by Ferrari, he raced WRC and NASCAR before returning to Lotus in 2012. He won a race and finished third in the standings that year, proving he still had it. But by 2018, some argued he’d overstayed his welcome: something Verstappen would never do.
Verstappen’s off-track ventures, like his GT3 endurance racing, already hint he’s chasing more than just F1 wins. A year away could sharpen his edge: or leave him out of the title fight if rivals capitalize.
A sabbatical would let Verstappen avoid a season stuck in uncompetitive machinery. But the timing matters. If Red Bull’s 2026 struggles continue into 2027, a break could look wise. If rivals like Lewis Hamilton or Lando Norris surge ahead, Verstappen’s return might feel late.
History says patience pays: but only if the driver returns to the right seat. Prost and Lauda did. Räikkönen nearly did. Verstappen’s next move will decide if he follows their path: or risks falling behind.