Max Verstappen tipped to stay at Red Bull for 2027 by Martin Brundle

Max Verstappen tipped to stay at Red Bull for 2027 by Martin Brundle

Max Verstappen is set to remain at Red Bull for 2027, according to Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle.

Brundle, a former F1 driver, told Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix that he believes Verstappen will ultimately stay with Red Bull next season. The four-time world champion is under contract until the end of 2028 but holds a performance-related exit clause that could let him leave early.

What Brundle said about Verstappen’s future

Brundle made his prediction on 25 July at Spa-Francorchamps. He argued that few top teams remain open to Verstappen, noting that McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari already have settled line-ups.

“Max obviously has a contract if he wants to stay at Red Bull,” Brundle said. “I’m not sure there are too many other places for him to go.”

He also dismissed the idea of a headline-grabbing swap involving Oscar Piastri, calling such moves far more complex than they appear.

Why the rumours won’t go away

Verstappen’s future has dominated paddock talk at Spa-Francorchamps. His management held talks with McLaren about a possible move, fuelling speculation despite his Red Bull deal.

When pressed on 25 July, Verstappen refused to engage. “No,” he replied when asked for an update. Asked about a decision date, he said: “Nope. There’s nothing to say from my side.”

Pressed again on his 2027 commitment, Verstappen snapped: “I said there’s nothing to say.”

Could a sabbatical still happen?

Brundle did not rule out a one-year break for Verstappen. He suggested the Dutchman has learned the hard way that silence or comments alike fuel speculation.

“A sabbatical? I don’t think it’s out of the question either,” Brundle added. He pointed to the paddock’s habit of thrashing out big deals during race weekends despite the noise.

Verstappen’s stance leaves the door ajar for either scenario. For now, the only certainty is more uncertainty.