Verstappen says 60:40 shift makes him likelier to stay to 2028
Rulemakers reached an "agreement in principle" to reduce battery power for 2027 and shift the power-unit balance to roughly a 60/40 split in favor of the internal-combustion engine, aimed at addressing driver complaints about battery harvesting and a practice known as "super clipping." Unanimity hasn't been reached, however — some power-unit manufacturers have pushed back on the planned revisions, threatening to push implementation to 2027 or even 2028.
Max Verstappen, who had earlier said he might leave F1 at the end of 2026 because he found the 2026 power-unit rules "anti-racing" and likened them to "Mario Kart," welcomed the FIA's direction in Montreal. He called the outcome "definitely heading into a very positive direction," described it as "the minimum I was hoping for," and labeled the planned engine changes "a major step in the right direction." Verstappen — who told reporters at the qualifying weekend, "it's just mentally not doable for me to stay like this" — said the regulatory shift made it more likely he'd see out the remaining two years of his Red Bull contract through 2028, and confirmed to de Telegraaf that he'd be on the grid next season, saying "Yes, definitely" and that he'd only quit if "very crazy things happen." He ruled out a sabbatical ("I'm not the person for that") but declined to commit to a long-term future at Red Bull, noting contract decisions involve other projects and that he is "not in a hurry." His repeated warnings have effectively tied his future in the sport to the final shape and timing of the 2026/2027 rules, ramping up pressure on regulators and manufacturers.
Speculation about Verstappen's longer-term plans included links to a possible Mercedes move, with Jos Verstappen seen speaking to Toto Wolff at Montreal, though no formal approach or announcement was reported. On track, Verstappen sits seventh in the 2026 standings with no podiums from the first four races. Away from F1, he competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with a Verstappen.com GT3 entry; his team was leading with just over three hours remaining when a driveshaft failure ended their chance, and Verstappen said he intends to return to try to win it.
