Fittipaldi: Max's departure will cause a shuffle of rearrangements.

      One of the important qualities that Emerson Fittipaldi values in Max Verstappen is the loyalty to Red Bull Racing, the team with which he has achieved all his successes, won 71 races, and secured four titles.

      But there are persistent rumors that Max might still take advantage of the special provisions in his contract, which allow for early termination, and the Brazilian Formula 1 veteran suggests that this will inevitably trigger a kind of chain reaction and a whole series of personnel changes.

      “It’s always difficult to express an opinion about what’s happening,” Fittipaldi, a two-time world champion, reflected in an interview with the official championship website. “I don’t know how his relationship with the team is developing, I don’t know how Red Bull plans to act with an eye on next year.

      Max is an incredibly talented driver. You could say he carries the car on his back. I believe he truly demonstrates loyalty to his team, and I like that.

      I have always loved to collaborate with teams for as long as possible, and I think he shares that same quality. However, it’s not out of the question that he could part ways (with Red Bull). And if that happens, it will cause a shuffle of personnel changes.

      Everything will come into motion, and it seems to me that this aspect of Formula 1 also makes the championship so interesting. Fans are wondering which drivers will move where? How will it all end? This is also part of our sport.”

      Neither Verstappen himself, nor his entourage, nor the Red Bull Racing team have confirmed plans for next year, although team principal Laurent Mekies has repeatedly stated that Max and Isaac Hajar are the perfect pair of drivers, and he hopes to keep this lineup. Formally, the four-time world champion's contract binds him to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but there are doubts that these agreements will be fulfilled in full.