Webber: Keeping Max in the championship is really important.

      Mark Webber believes that it is important for Formula 1 not to lose a driver like Max Verstappen in order to maintain the current level of competition. The Dutchman openly criticizes the 2026 regulations, hinting that he may end the chapter of his career dedicated to this championship, although many, including his father, Jos Verstappen, believe that Max will stay.

      Mark Webber dedicated twelve years to Formula 1, seven of which he spent racing for Red Bull Racing, and of course, he knows this team very well.

      “Of course, Red Bull really wants Max to stay, and it's easy to make such predictions,” the Australian said in an interview with RacingNews365. “When a driver like Verstappen is competing in the championship, that’s exactly what our sport needs. People turn on their TVs because of Max, and Liberty Media knows this. The significance of Max is understood by the teams as well.

      But if his motivations weaken, although I’m not saying he is losing motivation, we must consider that he has the right to choose. He already has a huge collection of trophies, he has been successful every year, and that gives him that right.

      Keeping Max in the championship is truly important because he gives all the other drivers that competitive edge. And for drivers, it’s always important to have such benchmarks… You definitely need someone who keeps you awake at night, and Verstappen has been doing just that for a long time.

      Of course, I am more interested in the success of Oscar Piastri (Webber is part of the management team for the Australian driver at McLaren), but when we talk about the interests of the sport as a whole, I remain neutral and certainly want Max to continue racing in Formula 1.”