Verstappen makes a joke about Tibet following the recent Red Bull setback.

      Max Verstappen humorously suggested that he might require a two-month retreat to Tibet following another frustrating setback in Red Bull’s challenging 2026 season. Amid heavy speculation about his future and hopes that Red Bull's largest upgrade package of the year would narrow the gap to the leaders, the Dutch driver crashed in Q3 while appearing to be capable of at least a front-row finish.

      Initial assumptions indicated driver error, but the team later determined that the incident was likely due to an issue with the rear wing or rear suspension. "It didn’t give Max a chance to continue," team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged at the Red Bull Ring. "We take full responsibility as a team and apologize to Max."

      Verstappen maintained that the upgrades themselves were not at fault. "These are just upgrades that bring more performance," he stated. "That’s not the issue."

      Reflecting on yet another setback in an already difficult season, Verstappen told De Telegraaf: "We’ve been encountering some odd situations all season, yes. I think at the year's end I’ll go to Tibet and unwind like a Buddha for two months. These cars are extremely complex, with so much happening. Sometimes, I really have to count to ten. Or even to a hundred."

      Nevertheless, the four-time world champion kept the disappointment in perspective. "We’ve also had many great years. Ultimately, I don’t worry about it too much. It’s not enjoyable, but that’s life."

      Mekies remarked that the speed shown before the accident nonetheless supported Red Bull’s development strategy. "You could see that Max was very quick. These incidents happen," said the Frenchman. "The car might not have been good enough for pole position, but we could compete for the front row. That indicates that we are progressing and moving in the right direction."

      Verstappen also mentioned that further upgrades are still planned despite the cost cap. "There are still several things in the works," he noted. When asked if there was sufficient budget remaining, he chuckled: "Very much! Then they need to spend a little less on catering."

      Regarding ongoing rumors connecting him to McLaren for 2027, Verstappen once again chose not to comment. "Not much to say, just what I mentioned last year," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I have a long-term contract with Red Bull and as far as I’m concerned, I’m focused on my role, striving to get the best out of myself on the track and with the team. There’s nothing new to add."