Villeneuve: 'Verstappen will call the shots in the 2026 driver market'

Facing the 2026 regulatory revolution, a leap in the dark, no top drivers risked changing teams. The grid remains identical to the Abu Dhabi finale, barring the Red Bull family. There, Yuki Tsunoda exits, Isack Hadjar joins Red Bull, and Arvid Lindblad enters Racing Bulls. Other squads retain their 2025 lineups, simply waiting to see the true competitive order. Chaos follows once performance levels are revealed, with disappointed drivers seeking better machinery.

Jacques Villeneuve believes Max Verstappen rules this market. Speaking to Poker Scout, Villeneuve stated, "Max is the puppet master. He can go anywhere. Any team would be stupid not to take him." Villeneuve loves this uncertainty regarding the new rules. Unlike the predictable speed of teams like McLaren recently, 2026 remains a mystery. "It is a leap in the dark. Any team could be the fastest," he noted.