Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has ended speculation about a move to Mercedes next season by confirming for the first time on Thursday that he will race on with Red Bull. Speculation has been rife as Red Bull Racing made headlines with its firing of Christian Horner and appointment of Laurent Mekies as new team boss at Red Bull Racing. As Verstappen is still the reigning champion, he has a lot of pressure to deliver wins for Red Bull as they enter a new era in Formula 1.
Verstappen took his time to confirm his future with Red Bull
“I think it’s time to stop all the rumors. For me, it was always quite clear that I was staying,” the Dutch driver told reporters ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Formula One starts a new engine era next year in a major shake-up that could change the pecking order, with Mercedes expected to lead the way while Red Bull is making their own power unit after a split with Honda.
“And that was the general feeling in the team because we are always in discussion about what we could do with the car, and when you’re not staying, you stop talking about these kind of things. And I never did.” – Max Verstappen
Reigning champion Verstappen has known break clauses in his contract, but they have not been triggered, with the 27-year-old third in the standings at the mid-point and with two wins from 13 races. It was widely accepted in Formula One that Verstappen would be staying, with the rumor mill already turning to a possible exit from Red Bull in 2027 with performance clauses again applying next year. Verstappen otherwise has a Red Bull contract that runs through 2028.
A new era has dawned on the Formula 1 world for Red Bull Racing
The sacking of Christian Horner this month as Red Bull team boss was also widely seen as another step by the energy drink company to convince the sport’s most sought-after driver to stay with them. We must remember that Verstappen is still the reigning champion, with a lot of racing left to do in his career, hopefully behind the wheel of the Red Bull Formula 1 car.
“Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama. But, for me, it’s always been quite clear,” – Max Verstappen
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said last week that retaining his current lineup of George Russell and Italian Kimi Antonelli was a priority. Russell told reporters separately at the Hungaroring that he was sure to be racing for Mercedes next year, but nothing would be signed until after the August break, which follows the Hungarian race.
“Conversations have started, but we are now heading into the summer break. Toto and I have spoken a lot this week, but we haven’t spoken once about the contract because we’re both trying to solve the car’s performance and get the team in the right place. And I personally want to go into the summer break and enjoy the only two weeks off I have in the year, and I don’t want to be thinking about contracts. There isn’t really a major time pressure now from my side, nor from Mercedes’ side.” – Mercedes driver, George Russell
Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull has never been in question
While Russell’s current deal expires at the end of the year, he has been under a management contract with Mercedes since he was 16 — meaning his employers are effectively negotiating with themselves. Rumors were circling over Mercedes signing Verstappen to their team, but those have ultimately fallen away following the news of Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull Racing. He even gave new boss, Laurent Mekies, his first win, albeit through a Sprint race.
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