{"id":1896629,"date":"2026-04-21T12:43:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T09:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1896629"},"modified":"2026-04-21T12:43:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T09:43:22","slug":"max-verstappen-f1-career-decision-prediction-made-by-jenson-button","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1896629","title":{"rendered":"Max Verstappen F1 career decision prediction made by Jenson Button"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Max Verstappen F1 career decision prediction made by Jenson Button<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>F1 world champion Jenson Button makes Max Verstappen future prediction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-21T13:43:22+01:00\">21 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Verstappen&#8217;s F1 future is in the spotlight<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Jenson Button doubts Max Verstappen will opt to take a sabbatical from Formula 1 due to his dissatisfaction with the 2026 rules.<\/p>\n<p>Four-time world champion Verstappen has been the loudest critic about the new F1 regulations and suggested he could walk away from the series at the end of the season because of his lack of enjoyment.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen\u2019s disenchantment with the 2026 rules, which feature a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and battery power, has raised questions over his long-term future.<\/p>\n<p>Fellow ex-F1 driver turned pundit Karun Chandhok has tipped Verstappen to take a sabbatical, but 2009 world champion Button doesn\u2019t think that is the Dutchman\u2019s style.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPersonally, it doesn\u2019t feel like he\u2019s the sort of guy who wants to take a sabbatical,\u201d\u00a0Button told Sky Sports F1. \u201cHe\u2019s either racing or he\u2019s not.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIf he wants to stop and go do something else, that\u2019s fun as well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think this will be his last \u2018career\u2019 in F1. I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll take a year out and come back. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s the Max I\u2019ve come to know.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-8c3b9da0b1dd3c5a34f773c4b69e7e6f0e16d4a0f5dcde5b7014e7a0601564b7\">  Max Verstappen baffled by \u201cstrange\u201d car damage in NLS5   Car damage denies Max Verstappen NLS5 victory chance <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>During the enforced April break, it was announced that Verstappen\u2019s long-serving race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase has agreed to join McLaren upon the expiry of his current Red Bull contract in 2028.<\/p>\n<p>The news has prompted suggestions that Verstappen could reunite with Lambiase in the future by jumping ship to Red Bull&#8217;s F1 rival.<\/p>\n<p>Button expects Verstappen\u2019s future will remain in the spotlight in the coming months, especially if Red Bull\u2019s competitive struggles continue.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-d1b20a76f72ff52ba607340e0f0b0e15239ca69d55bbed9e4a640d551ee88c27\">  WATCH LIVE: Max Verstappen tackles NLS5 as racing continues in wake of tragedy   Driver dies after multi-car crash suspends NLS4 at the Nurburgring <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cOnly a few weeks before it was announced that Lambiase was going to McLaren, Max came out and said \u2018I can\u2019t ever imagine racing without him by my side\u2019,\u201d\u00a0Button said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut it\u2019s 2028, it\u2019s another two years away, so we\u2019ll see. But it\u2019s exciting, there\u2019s so much to look forward to with the driver market over the next few years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMax is always going to be the centre of attention because he\u2019s in a car, at the moment, that\u2019s not performing. We\u2019re used to him being at the front, and he\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Max Verstappen<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Lando Norris reveals chats with golf superstar helped him conquer F1 demons<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-576a5984f2b2ef2f75d68baf490b3d2746bfa9cdc3736b9b216ea49f7c422e50\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-209866b670194f0a27b27ea896c75b610104fca4b03ddf7aee0bdcd79fb77e32\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>NLS4 featuring Max Verstappen suspended after serious multi-car crash<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776533633\"> 18\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/hd6v_tfwwaaipl6.jpeg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Max Verstappen, Mercedes-AMG, 2026 Nurburgring NLS2\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>George Russell backs F1 to survive possible Max Verstappen exit<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776510000\"> 18\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202510040588.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Russell would understand if Verstappen quit F1 \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rare Abu Dhabi 2021 defence made for \u2018scapegoat\u2019 Michael Masi<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776417837\"> 17\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1126213_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen beat Hamilton to the 2021 world title in a controversial finish\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Red Bull announces technical shake-up amid poor F1 2026 form<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776415498\"> 17\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403273_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Red Bull has had a tough start in F1 2026\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Max Verstappen breaks silence on Gianpiero Lambiase\u2019s Red Bull exit<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776413779\"> 17\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202510260441.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lambiase has engineered Verstappen throughout his Red Bull career\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nurburgring 24 Hours warning for Verstappen from F1 safety car driver<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776333821\"> 16\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1346072_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen follows the F1 Safety Car\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>F1 world champion Jenson Button makes Max Verstappen future prediction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Jenson Button doubts Max Verstappen will opt to take a sabbatical from Formula 1 due to his dissatisfaction with the 2026 rules.<\/p>\n<p>Four-time world champion Verstappen has been the loudest critic about the new F1 regulations and suggested he could walk away from the series at the end of the season because of his lack of enjoyment.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen\u2019s disenchantment with the 2026 rules, which feature a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and battery power, has raised questions over his long-term future.<\/p>\n<p>Fellow ex-F1 driver turned pundit Karun Chandhok has tipped Verstappen to take a sabbatical, but 2009 world champion Button doesn\u2019t think that is the Dutchman\u2019s style.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPersonally, it doesn\u2019t feel like he\u2019s the sort of guy who wants to take a sabbatical,\u201d\u00a0Button told Sky Sports F1. \u201cHe\u2019s either racing or he\u2019s not.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIf he wants to stop and go do something else, that\u2019s fun as well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think this will be his last \u2018career\u2019 in F1. I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll take a year out and come back. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s the Max I\u2019ve come to know.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-8c3b9da0b1dd3c5a34f773c4b69e7e6f0e16d4a0f5dcde5b7014e7a0601564b7\">  Max Verstappen baffled by \u201cstrange\u201d car damage in NLS5   Car damage denies Max Verstappen NLS5 victory chance <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>During the enforced April break, it was announced that Verstappen\u2019s long-serving race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase has agreed to join McLaren upon the expiry of his current Red Bull contract in 2028.<\/p>\n<p>The news has prompted suggestions that Verstappen could reunite with Lambiase in the future by jumping ship to Red Bull&#8217;s F1 rival.<\/p>\n<p>Button expects Verstappen\u2019s future will remain in the spotlight in the coming months, especially if Red Bull\u2019s competitive struggles continue.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-d1b20a76f72ff52ba607340e0f0b0e15239ca69d55bbed9e4a640d551ee88c27\">  WATCH LIVE: Max Verstappen tackles NLS5 as racing continues in wake of tragedy   Driver dies after multi-car crash suspends NLS4 at the Nurburgring <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cOnly a few weeks before it was announced that Lambiase was going to McLaren, Max came out and said \u2018I can\u2019t ever imagine racing without him by my side\u2019,\u201d\u00a0Button said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut it\u2019s 2028, it\u2019s another two years away, so we\u2019ll see. But it\u2019s exciting, there\u2019s so much to look forward to with the driver market over the next few years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMax is always going to be the centre of attention because he\u2019s in a car, at the moment, that\u2019s not performing. We\u2019re used to him being at the front, and he\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Jenson Button doubts Max Verstappen will opt to take a sabbatical from Formula 1 due to his dissatisfaction with the 2026 rules.<\/p>\n<p>Four-time world champion Verstappen has been the loudest critic about the new F1 regulations and suggested he could walk away from the series at the end of the season because of his lack of enjoyment.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen\u2019s disenchantment with the 2026 rules, which feature a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and battery power, has raised questions over his long-term future.<\/p>\n<p>Fellow ex-F1 driver turned pundit Karun Chandhok has tipped Verstappen to take a sabbatical, but 2009 world champion Button doesn\u2019t think that is the Dutchman\u2019s style.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPersonally, it doesn\u2019t feel like he\u2019s the sort of guy who wants to take a sabbatical,\u201d\u00a0Button told Sky Sports F1. \u201cHe\u2019s either racing or he\u2019s not.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIf he wants to stop and go do something else, that\u2019s fun as well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think this will be his last \u2018career\u2019 in F1. I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll take a year out and come back. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s the Max I\u2019ve come to know.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-8c3b9da0b1dd3c5a34f773c4b69e7e6f0e16d4a0f5dcde5b7014e7a0601564b7\">  Max Verstappen baffled by \u201cstrange\u201d car damage in NLS5   Car damage denies Max Verstappen NLS5 victory chance <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>During the enforced April break, it was announced that Verstappen\u2019s long-serving race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase has agreed to join McLaren upon the expiry of his current Red Bull contract in 2028.<\/p>\n<p>The news has prompted suggestions that Verstappen could reunite with Lambiase in the future by jumping ship to Red Bull&#8217;s F1 rival.<\/p>\n<p>Button expects Verstappen\u2019s future will remain in the spotlight in the coming months, especially if Red Bull\u2019s competitive struggles continue.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-d1b20a76f72ff52ba607340e0f0b0e15239ca69d55bbed9e4a640d551ee88c27\">  WATCH LIVE: Max Verstappen tackles NLS5 as racing continues in wake of tragedy   Driver dies after multi-car crash suspends NLS4 at the Nurburgring <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cOnly a few weeks before it was announced that Lambiase was going to McLaren, Max came out and said \u2018I can\u2019t ever imagine racing without him by my side\u2019,\u201d\u00a0Button said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut it\u2019s 2028, it\u2019s another two years away, so we\u2019ll see. But it\u2019s exciting, there\u2019s so much to look forward to with the driver market over the next few years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMax is always going to be the centre of attention because he\u2019s in a car, at the moment, that\u2019s not performing. We\u2019re used to him being at the front, and he\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1093262\/1\/max-verstappen-f1-career-decision-prediction-made-jenson-button&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Max Verstappen F1 career decision prediction made by Jenson Button F1 world champion Jenson Button makes Max Verstappen future prediction. Lewis Larkam 21 Apr 2026 Share Verstappen&#8217;s F1 future is in the spotlight Add as a preferred source Jenson Button doubts Max Verstappen will opt to take a sabbatical from Formula 1 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1896629","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1896629","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1896629"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1896629\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1896629"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1896629"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1896629"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}