Button doubts Verstappen sabbatical talk: If he leaves, he will not return

Max Verstappen’s future has become one of the biggest talking points in the Formula 1 paddock. The reigning world champion has repeatedly suggested that if he stops enjoying the sport, he would have little reason to stay.

He has also criticised the new 2026 regulations, while spending more time in GT racing. Last weekend, Verstappen competed in the qualifying events for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Jenson Button does not see Verstappen taking only a short break from Formula 1.

“Personally, it doesn’t feel like he’s the kind of guy who takes a sabbatical. He’s either racing or he’s not. If he wants to stop and go do something else, that’s fun as well," Button told Sky F1.

“I think this will be his last ‘career’ in F1. I don’t think he’ll take a year out and come back. I don’t think that’s the Max I’ve come to know," the 2009 F1 champion added.

Button also pointed to the planned departure of Verstappen’s long-time race engineer GianPiero Lambiase, who is set to join McLaren no later than 2028, as another sign that Verstappen could be thinking about his future.

“Only a few weeks before it was announced that Lambiase was going to McLaren, Max came out and said ‘I can’t ever imagine racing with him by my side’. But it’s 2028, it’s another two years ago. We’ll see, but it’s exciting, there’s so much to look forward to with the driver market over the next few years,” concluded Button.

For now, Verstappen remains one of the biggest stories in Formula 1 both on and off the track, and speculation over his future is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

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