In the light of the massive attention his presence attracted at the 24H Nurburging this past week, the question concerning Max Verstappen's future in Formula 1  ramped up a notch.

Speaking to Sport.de, Former Red Bull advisor and Verstappen mentor, Helmut Marko weighed in on growing backlash surrounding the 2026 regulations, which will place far greater emphasis on electric energy deployment and harvesting.

The Red Bull veteran fears the changes risk damaging the essence of Formula 1 and accelerating Verstappen’s eventual exit from the category: “Max's departure would certainly be a great loss, but that's how it works in sport.

"When someone leaves, a new one comes along and becomes the star; however, it's not just about whether Max likes it or not, it's about the essence of racing" added the Austrian.

Four-time Formula 1 World Champion, Verstappen has repeatedly criticised the direction of the 2026 F1 rules since last year, warning about excessive energy management, lift and coast racing, and artificial deployment systems replacing flat out competition.

The Dutch ace labeled Formula 1 as "Formula E on steroids" and slammed them as "anti-racing". Marko shares those concerns and believes Formula 1 is moving too far away from pure racing.

It's bleak for the Dutchman, with four races run this year, Verstappen is P7 in the F1 World Championship standings. His best result  P5 at the Miami Grand Prix, represents his worst start to a season as a Red Bull driver.

Marko backs return of V8 engines

The 83-year-old welcomed recent comments from FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem about potentially reintroducing V8 engines from 2030 onwards.

Marko believes lighter, louder and simpler engines are essential if Formula 1 wants to preserve its identity and keep drivers fully engaged: “What has been started in the short term is far from sufficient to get the premier class back on track.

“I don't know to what extent we can achieve a return to pure racing, but as for the V8s, I say the sooner they arrive, the better.”

For now, Verstappen continues to balance his Formula 1 future with growing involvement outside the category, while the debate over the sport’s long term direction intensifies ahead of the biggest technical overhaul in decades.

The reality of Verstappen ditching Formula 1, at the end of 2026, should be tempered by the fact that he could lose out on $200 to $300-million in income he would bank, and much, much more as his longevity in the top flight could go on for the next decade.

There is simply no motorsport category, outside of Formula 1 that pays their drivers even a fraction of those numbers. Expect a compromise between Max and his employers, not and in the future.

Nevertheless, the big questions are: Does Max Verstappen really need Formula 1 in its current state? And, does Formula 1 need Max Verstappen?