Max Verstappen has been told it would be “wise” for him to take a year out in 2026 in order to assess which team is the strongest.

Max Verstappen advised to take F1 2026 sabbatical

“Red Bull are fighting to retain Max,” Hill said on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast. “There is a clause in the contract, it’s been explained quite clearly that there’s a performance clause and if they don’t match the performance clause – and let’s be honest, he’s never delivering less than 100% – if they don’t give him that, then he’s free to go wherever he wants.