Bernie Ecclestone Names F1 Team He Wants Max Verstappen to Race for in 2026

Ex-F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone reveals the team that he wishes to see Max Verstappen race for in the 2026 season despite his current woes.

Bernie Ecclestone Names F1 Team He Wants Max Verstappen to Race for in 2026

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull), Bernie Ecclestone (via Getty)

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Max Verstappen‘s future at Red Bull beyond the 2025 season remains uncertain. There have been rumors that the Dutchman is contemplating leaving the Austrian team at the end of the season. However, after Christian Horner‘s shock exit, reports have emerged that the 27-year-old could continue with Milton Keynes. Regardless of the truth at hand, ex-F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone shares his opinion on the team he wishes to see the reigning world champion race for in 2026.

Max Verstappen‘s current campaign at Red Bull is extremely troublesome. Even after winning two coveted races in 2025, Verstappen is now rendered unable to fight for race wins. Because of the dismal pace, the Dutchman might not be happy with the team. The 27-year-old has already written off his title chances in the 2025 season as he now just hopes to have fun racing. However, Bernie Ecclestone believes that the four-time champion doesn’t necessarily have to continue racing for Milton Keynes.

Bernie Ecclestone reckoned that Max Verstappen deserved to race for a team where he stayed true to himself and felt happy. Ecclestone asserted that as long as Verstappen felt at peace with any team on the F1 grid, he would be able to perform his best and keep scoring race wins and even the championship. The 94-year-old further insisted that the Dutchman didn’t mess around and always remained very straightforward while talking to anyone.

I think he should be where he’s happy. And wherever it’s going to be, as long as he’s happy, he’ll still be able to perform the way he’s performing now, because he’s not a guy that messes around, is he? I mean, very straightforward on what he says and what he does.

Bernie Ecclestone told Sky Sports F1

Ecclestone explained that he would like to see Max Verstappen stay with Red Bull for the future and keep giving it his all to the Austrian outfit. After all, Milton Keynes has given him everything in the pinnacle of motorsport, as the Dutchman nears a decade of racing for the team. For now, nothing is certain as Verstappen has also issued his long-term loyalty to the team in the past. Still, if the situation worsens any further than it already has, the four-time champion might consider looking at other options.

I’d like to see him stay where he is.

Bernie Ecclestone added

Ex-Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger declares Max Verstappen ‘will continue’ at Red Bull

Max Verstappen is the center of massive rumors of looking to join Mercedes in the coming season amid Red Bull’s degrading pace. However, with Christian Horner suddenly out of the picture, Verstappen might consider staying a little longer with Milton Keynes. Jos Verstappen and Horner’s soured relationship wasn’t unknown to the public, as the latter’s sudden dismissal might have been pushed by the senior Verstappen.

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)

Regardless of the persistent rumors, ex-Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger declared that Max Verstappen would continue at Red Bull. Berger pointed out that Horner and Jos Verstappen were already not the best of friends, as the former’s exit might help them continue with the same outfit. Time will tell if the 27-year-old retains his faith in the Austrian outfit and deems them the best team to keep up with his championship hopes in Formula 1.

As we know, the Verstappens and Horner were not the best of friends, I do think Max will stay at Red Bull. You could see it was going this way at Red Bull Racing.

Gerhard Berger told F1-insider

Max Verstappen hasn’t commented formally on the matter as rumors continue to flourish in the paddock. Red Bull is seemingly giving it their all to improve their pace and retain the Dutchman in their squad. However, it is no surprise that Verstappen is indeed in negotiations with Mercedes, as they too will give it their all to acquire the reigning world champion.

Read More: F1 Pundit Outlines Shock Theory over Max Verstappen Being Replaced by Lando Norris at Red Bull