Max Verstappen "will take 2026 off" says Chandhok

[@LawVS]

Climb the ladder with me on Patreon: patreon.com/lawvs My socials: linktr.ee/lawvs

[@Im_helpless]

Ah yes chandok, the source of all reliable news and f1 takes

[@LawVS]

Still something to think about. Even if it's barmy.

[@icem8n]

Drivers talk alot.

[@mermils]

The same who spread the rumor of a bottas return to mercedes

[@pookachu64]

Yeah exactly, he’s been a dork his whole career. Now he’s a lying dork

[@OnionChoppingNinja]

At least he's not Paul Di Resta

[@AbdulRWatches]

Verstappen is not Alonso, I think Max will leave the sport to never return. He is not the kind of guy to leave and comeback like Alonso.

[@phonebem]

Agreed. While I don't think it's likely, I could see a reality where Max just pursues esports full-time. He's obviously bored with F1, loves sim racing, and has the means to do whatever he wants. Alonso is a racer to the core. He'll likely race something until he physically cannot operate anything racable...

[@arjunnair8037]

​@@phonebem I doubt he's bored. Once RB are not this dominant anymore, he's gonna be fired up.

[@phonebem]

@@arjunnair8037 I honestly hope so. I'm not a fan of Max, but I appreciate his talent. As a fan of the sport, I feel cheated out of at least another season or two of a great Max/Lewis rivalry.

[@BruceKarrde]

@@phonebem F1 would generate so much money. They could hype it up like never before.

[@jfv65]

He might like to do WEC. Remember that his father had a class win in LMP2 in a Porsche Spyder at 24hrLeMans.

[@tiagoferreira5368]

I don't see him taking a year out. What i can see is that if he doesn't enjoy the new cars and if RB is struggling then he might just walk out of F1.

[@pauls5745]

I think he'll see what the new cars are all about and he's already planning another challenge for '27

[@Matillysilly]

The toto's impersonation gets me everytime 🤣

[@tomcleave2622]

Toto is the personification of a wealthy asshole with a very strange view of reality. I thought we got them all at the end of WW2? Lol He’s become the joke of the paddock, whining constantly

[@omargraham8591]

Same here its soo good 😂

[@07Corcaigh]

Wishful thinking from Sky pundits. Max was asked lately if he would go for 8 titles and he said it depends on how things go until 2028. He'll do as he always does and win everything he possibly can, he's relentless.

[@MulettoMotorsports]

Sure, the 2026 cars aren't looking too hot, but if we're going to speculate, F1 is considering ditching the hybrid system for 2030, which is something Max is probably very keen on. On the other hand, despite claims of not caring about records, I absolutely see Max chasing the Triple Crown.

[@basdollevoet2824]

Verstappen has said numerous times that the Indy 500 is not his cup of tea

[@aoife1122]

Indy Car? Only as a very last resort at the tail end of his career, when he's done smashing Michael's and Lewis' records...;) Le Mans? That's a different story, if there's a possibility to do it with daddy.

[@sparkieT88]

Karun has been a clown on socials recently, not sure I wouldnt give him much credit

[@LawVS]

I'm skepitcal, but I wanted to hear him out and I think there are SOME points.

[@sparkieT88]

@LawVS yes interesting, but I think karun just hates redbull, if it came from like anyone else it would have more weight behind it

[@Zoom15000]

​@@sparkieT88well except Damon Hill maybe... 😬

[@parrotantics2046]

Max in WEC? Boi, that's going to be a blast.

[@macrossMX]

If Max does go to WEC, there will be a future meme where Max is the only winner in the 48hrs of Le Mans.

[@martinhubinette2254]

In the World Rally championship Kalle Rovanperä (the Verstappen equivalent) took a year of this year. He is doing a few select events as the WRC teams can run more cars in an event. So Toyota has 2 permanent drivers and the option to run Ogier (8x champion) or Rovanperä, depending on if the driver wants to.

[@mleah.]

Max is about excelling, not necessarily competing. He's got nothing to prove, saying he's already accomplished more than he ever thought. I see him just casually making major moves easily.

[@theempire6341]

yapper is back after 24 hours !!!!!!!

[@sasiuru]

Sounds like what Kalle Rovanperä is doing currently. Took 2 WRC chanpionships (2022,2023) and decided to drive only part of the 2024 WRC to have more time to other motorsports - like drifting. Max doing same sounds a plan to go WEC and other series to drive, Indy? RedBull has hypercar project currently, for WEC?

[@Scratch-Schram]

Just an idea, not saying it will happen: What if Red Bull go to WEC with their RB17 in the Hypercar class in 2026 (A bit of a irrational idea, maybe later). Max could go there, he has said he wants to drive in the WEC for a while now. He would be driving for Red Bull and it would be with endurance, two thinks that could work.

[@TheCrystalChassis]

Did you hear Domenicali said he wants to bring back loud cars/possibly V8's with clean fuel in 2030? Exciting.

[@cyberwolf5075]

He talked about it as a comment in the last third of the video

[@harry4454]

All he said was louder cars and not hybrid, don’t get your hopes up

[@frankbieser]

I sometimes wonder if the "drama" at RB is really effecting Max much. I would imagine all the squabbling is reminiscent of growing up. And, after you've watched your Dad beat your Mom, how does that compare to Horner and Marko bickering over who should control RB? As it's been rightly pointed out here and other places, Max just wants a fast car, and doesn't care one wit about "drama".

[@whyareyoureadingmynickname8158]

There's nothing wrong with great driver wanting to take a break or leave early altogether. One can imagine that always having to be in tip-top form without ever making a mistake while also having your life on line every time you sit in a car can take a mental toll on person. In fact, wasn't that whole reason why that one Monaco based KZbinr who beat Lewis Hamilton in equal machinery left F1 in 2016? Or why Mika Hakkinen decided to go on sabbatical (and eventually retire) despite the fact that McLaren wanted to keep him? Neither of those drivers were too old at the time of their retirement (31 and 33 respectively) but I guess there is a point where you just say "enough is enough" or you just don't enjoy what you're doing anymore. In such cases, small break or complete change can do wonders to a person.

[@harry4454]

Nico left because beating Lewis took too much a toll on his mental health

[@harry4454]

Nico left because beating Lewis took too much a toll on his mental health

[@harry4454]

Nico left because beating Lewis took too much a toll on his mental health

[@kainagami]

I find it weird how the 2026 front wing concept can't just be as slim as it was before 2009 to avoid any possibility of outwash

[@tktxlegend4540]

If he takes some time off to win Le Man, I hope he also aims for winning the Indy 500 to achieve the Triple Crown. I feel like Max is good enough to become the second driver in history to achieve that feat.

[@AKACitizan101]

The car needs to be reduced in size. You want a car to overtake. The MP4/4 size is a classic size. Not these boats.

[@BrandoTalksRacingS]

Max! 🙏 Please! 🙏 Please! 🙏 Come to the US and race Indycars for a year! Please! 🙏

[@michaelredford5389]

If the simply removing the electric battery system and added refuelling back in (with fuel flow limits of course to prevent ridiculous fuel consumption) you'd remove so much weight from the cars when they sit on the grid before races.

[@seanonraet8327]

If they bring back refueling we'll go back to seeing most overtakes happen in the pits again

[@harry4454]

The v6 alone would be so slow

[@VulgrDisplay]

I think most of the grid will enjoy the new cars if they are smaller and lighter.

[@AwfuThings]

I think that its not true. The car are barely smaller, and they have 50-50% power distribution between electric and thermic, which means having a bigger battery, which means more weight. I dont see how these cars could be « 50kg lighter » as they like to say

[@jacobl1657]

Lol you think F1 will become more accessible if it gets simpler… see Andretti

[@ianfaris4806]

The things i’d do to get v10s back in f1…

[@harry4454]

What would you do

[@frankhuurman3955]

@@harry4454 he'd comment on youtube!

[@Umadatme]

Tbh i wished they would do all the drama behind closed doors it would make things better it seems

[@trashgaming853]

Remember chandok predicted that Ferrari will not paint their car fully blue and it came out correctly I am not say anything but he might be right 😅

[@michaelredford5389]

That deal to stay through to 2028 was unprecedented. It wouldn't surprise me if there was the wiggle room for this kind of situation. In terms of F1, he would still be a Red Bull contracted driver and won't be doing anything with other teams. But any sports car team who have Red Bull as sponsors... like Emil Frey in the GTWC... Nothing to say he couldn't pursue those challenges and knowing Max, if he did plan to take 2026 off F1, he wouldn't be relaxing and living the high life. His goal would be to win the Le Mans 24hr and win races in GT3's right off the bat. Like Alonso did, keep racing sharp and prove that you can boss it in each discipline.

[@keithgoh123]

Now I'm no F1 engineer but the 2026 engine rules does read like it's silly and based off of Ferdinand Porche's gas-electric hybrid engine back in WW2. The combustion part decoupled from actual power to wheel output. And that's going to have a lot o uncertainties on which team got it right.

[@miguelcebriancarrasco1907]

nah, this is not this not like the Audi dakar car, its hybrid power

[@notastone4832]

@@miguelcebriancarrasco1907 so heavy and completely reliant on battery power.. sounds like dogshit

[@obiwancourtnobi]

Love seeing your channel grow Law. Amazing and interesting content as always 🎉

[@lukasr1166]

People are just making things up at this point.

[@JayQ2k]

I think it's not necessarily about Max not caring about losing anymore... he'll be out long before that. It's more him not caring about winning anymore. That will introduce boredom and everyone can take that only for so long.

[@swidr5626]

7:12 - Well Adrian Newey was driving last weeked in one of the classes? Maybe they could compete against each other?

[@swidr5626]

Alsooo didn't Prost take a year off because Ferrari pretty much forced him to? From what I remember it was more like Kimi's situation than how could it be for Max. It wasn't really his choice

[@swidr5626]

Same goes to that Anti-Senna clause. Prost walked away because that clause expired and he couldn't do anything to stop Williams from signing him

[@tennisjiujitsu]

Max is still very young. He could come back whenever he wants. I would love to watch him go for the Triple Crown. Whatever he does, I'll be watching!

[@Ins0mnia365]

Damn your going great Law. From below 10k now at 60k. 100k incoming! You deserve it.

[@VoxAurelius]

Karun has been suprisingly accurate with previous predictions. Even ones I thought unlikely.

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

Heck I wonder if Max likes the IRacing more than the real thing lately???? I don't put much credibility into the presenters, especially Karun but I get that you want to explore it. I certainly hope we don't lose Max anytime soon regardless of who he drives for. Go RedBull!!!!

[@timjuten]

I think Toto is not as stupid as ur describing him to be, for me, all of that Verstappen talk is more to distabilize Red Bull more than actually trying to get Max in a Mercedes.

[@toolegittoquit_001]

Toto is looking increasingly desperate

[@kikay134]

@@toolegittoquit_001 Well, his team is losing value by the day as long as they continue to do poorly.

[@milspecmike8440]

I’m just here for the cool, calm, calculating Toto Wolf falling apart in front of our eyes the second Merc isn’t dominant. The facade has been lifted.

[@manper421]

Red Bull is destabilizing themselves, no one cares about Toto anymore. They can't build a competitive car anymore

[@MM-qm9ld]

If you think Toto wouldn't take Max in a heartbeat though you're deluding yourself. Hes playing the game regardless, all TPs do, bc they're the face of their respective teams. Toto being nice to Max does nothing to add to the real problems RB has. Hes doing it bc thats what you do. Any team would take a Lewis or Max. They bring so much brand dollars and world appeal with them beyond just their talent. It's a no brainer. Hes not doing it to just rub dirt in Horner's eye lol. If you believe that you've completely marked out for an easy gimmick. Hes doing it bc if theres a chance to grab your team Max Verstappen, you go for it. If he wasnt trying at all, especially with media speculation abuzz, hed be out of a job. Its really not that complicated.

[@CnCEndeavors]

Verstappen to Andretti!

[@Georgiannna]

It feels like you just played the Beyond the Grid podcast with Martin Brundle and you decided to press play. Great video !

[@SouBU95]

I think we need to keep in mind that the original reason F1 switched to turbo-hybrids wasn't purely because of environmental concerns. It was also about technological relevancy. Car manufacturers were leaning towards hybrids in that era, so F1 wanted to tap into that and try to sell F1 as another avenue of RnD for hybrids for these companies (like with Le Mans). As cool as it would be to run V8s again on fully synthetic or sustainable fuels the industry is pivoting to fully electric. I don't see V8s happening.

[@Izzyisgreen]

My second time watching the video cuz I was looking for a specific statement u made. I feel for it when u said bye, I thought the video was over and never finished it😭

[@Miamiburaz]

It would be interesting to see Max go to IndyCar like Mansell did in 93, just to see if he can repeat what Nigel did that year.

[@Winterwindsofcold]

max is quite the variable..... but I'm really interested in seeing the changes the new regulations will bring to the grid, also i'm seriously confused about what Carlos is doing cause i really don't want him to be out the gride in 2025

[@eagleeggs3862]

Max is doing 24 hour sim race , le mans is 24 hours coincidence or preparation

[@mrsoisauce9017]

6:09 if that's the case, Audi's most likely to be on top. The regulations were literally written to give Audi an advantage so they have an incentive to come into the sport Edit: also, 6:14, we've heard this before. Mercedes and Toto Wolff said the same thing about the 2022 car and how it was a "rocket ship," and how their simulations have told them that it was going to be the fastest car. Yeah, look how well that turned out...

[@MahBones]

Don't even need to change the cylinder configuration, just remove the turbos which are essentially rotary mufflers. For an example of what high revving NA V6's can sound like look no further than 90's DTM's like the Calibra and 155.

[@craigcharlesworth1538]

There's a good point there. Why tie yourself into a lengthy contract with a team who may or may not get the '26 regs right? Just take a year out and see who comes out on top, then approach that team in the knowledge that there's a strong chance they'll want to take you even if it means having to sack off one of their current drivers.

[@jeffp2935]

I am Dutch and i think he should go race in Indy and Le Mans and take the treble

[@praeliator]

Max will work from home in 2026 - the sim world trembles.

[@k3corvette35]

Max Verstappen will leave F1 and I dont blame him one bit !! The way the regulations are headed SUCK !! F1 is/was at one time the pinnacle of Motorsports ! But with teams like WOKEcedes being more concerned with equality and being inclusive instead of hiring on merit . FOM and the FiA want the regulations going more and more GREEN instead of saving the ICE ,they want to be a hybrid racing series and a spec series eventually it appears ! Bring back the V10's and V12's PLEASE !!!!!

[@aes0p895]

Chandok isn't reliable, but if this is true it's because Max doesn't like losing and he wants to see who's best before signing.

[@twrampage]

Would love a return to v8's, still think it feels odd to not get the extra speed they offer for a racing championship.

[@pdxMax]

Not a bad video ,well done 👏👏👏👏

[@adrianpragiwaksana4245]

KC, will you shut up and focus solely on Formula E, or even help Mahindra please? Another banger video from you Law

[@liamsillybilly78865]

I would think Max wants to be the best ever. Why would he not want to at least see what the 2026 RedBull has to offer then jump ship for a faster car if he wants to. A year off makes 0 sense. Leave RB yes, a year off…. Probably not.

[@piltdownfilms]

It seems to me that the fuel used by the cars during the race are a drop in the bucket compared to the resources used and emissions expended lugging the whole works back and forth across the globe for 24 races.

[@carobahena6134]

Chandok and Barreto, accurate and reliable as a meteorologist.

[@BruceKarrde]

1:00 Already within the first minute: I wish drivers were more honest - sure, retirement shirts and warehouse stock sells nicely. However, it looks so cheap to say "I'm retiring from F1" and then wait 1 year to collect another seat. This is why I'm not a fan of Vettel returning to F1. You retired, go do something else. Instead of retiring, just say you take a year off, or that you couldn't get a seat. Halfway through the video you talked about motivation; I think Max' position is very healthy. I wouldn't be surprised if Max ever needed money, he could become a personal development coach. It's important to have goals, reach them, and not overstay your welcome. The beauty of F1 is the many different drivers, personalities, and motivations. We see it often that drivers just overstay their welcome. Let's imagine that Hamilton stopped racing immediatly after this 7th WDC, he would still be called a legend. Let's say Hamilton stopped after 2021, people would call him a sore loser. What if Hamilton fades out in the chase for his 8th, it would be a tragedy. Of course, what if Hamilton wins his 8th, he'd be championed a Legend and for his persistence. It's completely in Hamilton's hands to decide when to quit. However, he seems very much affected by how the others see him - especially African-Americans. Max achieved what he wanted - so if he stops racing F1, he's happy. I do understand his motivation for not joining another team that goes through all the struggles. I'm not in the mood either to support a fresh startup. I just want to do my job, grow, and do what I like. Bottas and Vettel have been the "puppets" to train the other driver. It's nice to have that money - but is that how you want to go?

[@justliech3948]

I rly agree with having less gimmicks

[@lucadillenburg7545]

Have someone told you are basically the Tailosive Tech of F1? Love you both! ❤😂

[@lucadillenburg7545]

speculation, skits, etc

[@Fiasco3]

That ridiculous schedule might see a few early retirements and drivers taking breaks. The organizers have to factor in family time, it currently isn't healthy for them.

[@Shlokiee]

The redbull hypercar the rb17 is set to launch in 2026 right? Right?

[@Redlingstein]

No 2025. And it’s a non restrictions car design…. Not viable for any racing series. Its a unique NEWEY design to enjoy… that’s it.

[@TheCrystalChassis]

I think it's entirely possible he'd take a year or two off, but it'd be far more likely in 2027. He's gonna wanna know what the '26 cars are actually like first.

[@lamontcranston8181]

An American V8 in F1 is what I want to see.

[@JamesDorsett11]

Get latifi in that red bull seat for the season

[@Muddkipper123]

Was gonna go to sleep, me see lawvs upload, me click.

[@louiscypher4186]

I don't think anybody pushing "a year off" is looking at this from a business Pov. It's not just new regs, this is a full 5 year plan for redbull taking on its most ambitious project with new business partners. There's no "just slipping back" either Max is on grid for 2026 or he's sitting out until 2029. (And getting sued in the process)

[@AKACitizan101]

Max around Bathurst- I’d buy that for a dollar.

[@greenwood130]

We all know it’s only a matter of time before Max makes the jump to Endurance. Can’t wait to see what he does in a Hypercar

[@kevinhanson2863]

Winning an Indy 500 is far easier said then done. There was a reason Senna and Michael didn’t race ovals.

[@413TomaccoRoad]

So Red Bull is going to make their own ICE machines; Is Max automatically assuming the Red Bull ICE machine won't produce?

[@ToxicAWOL]

So I do have some bad news when it comes to the Triple Crown: Max is not really interested in the 500. He has said in an interview that he isn't really that interested in Indy Car right now and isn't looking to move to Indy Car anytime soon.

[@JuanCEOs725]

Chandok's takes are always wrong, so let's rest assured that this will never happen.

[@718Insomniac]

Max is the most consistent person in F1. If not in F1s history? So I'm going to safely assume, Max is gonna be consistent with what he says and how he is going to act based on his words.

[@miggygetright6344]

If he takes a sabbatical he could race in Le Mans for Toyota, Ferrari or maybe a customer like Jota, maybe even Aston Martin is doing the work in WEC and they offer him a go at Le Mans. He could also give the Indy 500 a go. Would be sure that a team like Arrow McLaren would offer him a shot, maybe even CGR, Penske or Andretti. But in reality he’ll probably spend most of that sabbatical sim racing. Maybe pull a Kimi and race at Watkins Glen for Project 91 😳

[@sirsancti5504]

I isually play opposite day with Chandouk.

[@zestylem0n]

Would be funny if max copies vettel; win 4x wdc, jump ship to Ferrari. Then the added spice of trolling lewis.

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Has Max ever played any Indy simulators? I don't think he would ever race the 500.

[@seanonraet8327]

He does a lot of iracing and I think there is indycar there. Not sure if he's ever done it though

[@Rrr000yyY]

I think he's dabbled in them yes but in the past he's made it very clear that he would never do Indy in real life because he feels it's way too dangerous.

[@henkormel5610]

@AndyFromBeaverton. Max says as long as he drives F1 he doesn't partculy likes the ovals. He regards them as to dangorous. Not worthy of the risk of injury.

[@colinwest3301]

Max is in favour of active aero, as long as it's driver controlled not system controlled. Drivers use it whenever the need or want to. But it still has not been actually defined.

[@hamzajamil8951]

Really like your videos bro.

[@Bird_814]

Max loves all motorsport. He's been on record saying F1 isn't the end of his career. He'll try for the triple crown. Just not in 2026. More like 2030.

[@stableianF1oracle]

Ferrari will boot Lewis out at the end of 2026 when Lewis doesn’t get a podium. Max will move in and clean up and show Lewis how to drive the Ferrari. 😂😂😂😂

[@barretmarshall]

Toto was used to being on the top of the heap, he is not there anymore and every race he gets backed into a corner a little more. Getting pushed into a corner slowly makes you increasingly more desperate as plans don’t work.

[@connorf1au]

Love your content man! You were someone who inspired me to start my own channel! I hope you can get even bigger!

[@MahF1V10]

It's definitely a 2027 conversation unless the team falls apart before then. Like to believe he would atleast give the new cars a try.

[@lunardawnimages6838]

For Pete's sake, ditch the stupid batteries, get back to aspirated V8 with cleaner synthetic fuels....and bring back the scream! That would be beneficial for everyone. Except for the battery manufacturers of course.

[@sharptojo6420]

I’d love to see Max race at the Rolex 24.

[@phonebem]

I've been saying a lot of the same things as both Law and Karun. Call it copioum, but I've been of the mind that Max likely isn't going to be in F1 for long, just embrace the fat that I'm seeing something special; kind of like seeing peak Michael Schumacher, or Ayrton Senna. Even if you didn't like them at the time, you were witness to something people in the future will talk about.

[@notastone4832]

the 2026 regs just suck.. id imagine newey and max were thinking the same thing..

[@thegridgab]

A whole year of him shouting at nerds over Sim racing. Surely a Netflix series in that!

[@BlackbeardKNAC]

I can see Max going endurance. I am seeing him more and more in the simulator doing stints in the endurance series.

[@BOBBOBBOBBOBBOBBOB69]

The man clearly has mad endurance.

[@Dexter037S4]

He's not taking 2026 off, he's moving to WEC or GTWC lol

[@felipemesquita7697]

How to stir up chaos in F1: "Max: Hey guys, I'm gonna be taking a sabbatical."

[@AnimaDweller]

I honestly see Max retiring right as he doesnt really have the best car. Not because he actually doesnt think he can fight, but because it looks like he actually doesnt like the whole "Building the team up again" that F1 usually has. He probably would rather go home, maybe try on endurance and spend time with his family.

[@belodie]

You know who else was considered too loyal to leave a team? Hamilton with Mercedes. We all know how that ended up...

[@wiz7006]

Bro u crossed limit of yapping now .

[@aaronb4936]

How sick would that be to see max at the Indy 500.. I won’t hold my breath though

[@LawVS]

It wouldn't be for ages. Maybe if he's bored.

[@craigcharlesworth1538]

"Max isn't a records chaser". Mate, how many times has he been bollocked for risking going for a fastest lap? He wants records.

[@LawVS]

I'm talking about the big stuff. Fastest laps get you actual points.

[@staLkerhu]

A fastest lap isn't really a record, it is only related to a singular race... He is doing it for maximalism (no pun intended). Collect every possible point on the weekend, so he can sleep well. 🤷‍♂

[@Blank_nvm]

Plot twist for imola, max will sabotage his brakes again just to race in 24h of Nürburgring - nordschleife