Max Verstappen's future at Red Bull Racing and even Formula 1 is under much speculation since the start of the 2026 season and the new regulations.

However, speculation has gone into overdrive ever since it was announced that the Dutchman's longtime race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is leaving Red Bull Racing for McLaren in 2028.

Verstappen has cut a miserable figure lately, unhappy with the new 2026 regulations and suffering from a woeful Red Bull Racing car.

But former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese is adamant the Red Bull ace will follow his engineer out of Milton Keynes.

He said: "If Lambiase is leaving, it means that Max is also leaving Red Bull next year. He is not feeling very happy. So, at the end of this season he will probably make his move.

"Max, first of all, has to enjoy driving these cars. But it is obvious he doesn't like it at all. He's a strong enough person that you believe him when he says, 'If I don't have enjoyment, I'll leave Formula 1.'

"He has already got satisfaction and achieved so much in the sport. He has proved that he's the best, so on. If F1 changes and he has a good feeling again, then he will go on," the Italian predicted.

However, he admitted there could be a chance that Verstappen's threats may be empty ones; he added: "But at the end of it all, I think he is just talking. But he does need a winning car, that's for sure. He is fed up, that is for sure."

The problem has roots from last season

Verstappen's frustrations probably go back to 2025, when Red Bull were in turmoil, losing team boss Christian Horner midseason after a terrible start to that season with an uncompetitive car.

That meant that, despite a midseason comeback following the arrival of Laurent Mekies, Verstappen still missed out on a fifth title to Lando Norris.

Patrese said: "Last year, they did not have the dominating car, but they had an excellent car, which had been also very good the year before.

"Now they have to build everything from scratch, without Adrian Newey, their technical guide and supremo.

"They haven't made the right moves. They have an engine that at least is working, but for sure not the best engine.

"Not building a good car because they lost Adrian Newey, and not having a top engine, means that they are behind, even if they have Max Verstappen," he pointed out.

Red Bull Racing, like all their rivals, would've been busy over the April break working hard on trying to fix their RB22 and come up with solutions.

The first indications of whether they have succeeded will be at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.

"To make a definitive answer, we need to wait until after the break," Patrese said when asked if Red Bull will sort their car out. "We will have a better idea if Red Bull are completely dead or they can be reborn.

"When there has been such an earthquake of a change in F1, you need a little bit more time to understand everything. They have had time to analyze the weak points that they have and how they can solve them.

"Before I give a final word, I should wait until the restart of the championship," he maintained.

But should Verstappen decide to leave Red Bull, where would he go?

There have always been rumors linking Verstappen to several teams, especially Mercedes, but Lambiase at McLaren might give the 28-year-old driver another option for a future team.

"Verstappen would replace [Oscar] Piastri at McLaren and Russell at Mercedes," Patrese said. "There are so many rumors. If Max wants to change, he easily can.

"Everybody wants to have Max in the team. If Max wants to go to McLaren for sure, one of the two leaves, maybe Piastri.

"If Max wants to go to Mercedes, probably then it looks like it will probably be George [Russell] who goes.

"Kimi [Antonelli] is in a very good position for the championship," the Italian pointed out, also adding Ferrari—who currently have Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc under contract—may welcome Verstappen, saying: "If Max wants to go to Ferrari, probably they can find a place for him there."

Explaining the Max-to-Ferrari logic, Patrese said: "For now, Ferrari have done a good job, at least in the first two Grand Prix.

"They are happier because it's a new car and they hope that they can develop the project and be competitive to fight to win races.

"But if they don't win, a driver will have to pay the price. And they will decide they have to change something.

"That may mean try to get Verstappen in. But the trigger for any move is what Max decides to do. He is the first part of the puzzle.

"Then everything else moves," Patrese concluded. (Source: BettingLounge)