'I'm staying': Max Verstappen confirms his F1 future at Red Bull

After weeks of speculation that Max Verstappen could move to Mercedes next year, the four-time champion has confirmed his intention to stay with Red Bull for the start of F1’s new regulations in 2026.

Verstappen’s existing contract with with the team runs until 2028, but it’s widely understood that there are clauses in the deal which could allow him to depart.

Rumours were already swirling after Red Bull’s faltering start to the season and, and went wild after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff stated he had been having talks with Verstappen about driving for the Silver Arrows. 

Eagle-eyed fans then spotted Wolff’s yacht alongside Verstappen’s in Sardinia, Italy, in the break between the British and Belgian Grands Prix which only added fuel to the fire. 

Since these stories first emerged, there has also been further upheaval at Red Bull with the dismissal of Christian Horner after 20 years as team principal, but also a critical weekend at Spa, where Verstappen scored enough points to ensure that he would go into the summer break, after this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, third in the championship.

Had he dropped to fourth at that point in the season, it was thought that a release clause would allow him to sign for another team in 2026.

Ahead of this weekend’s race, Verstappen confirmed his allegiance to Red Bull. 

“People are waffling so much throughout the whole season, whilst the only one that actually can, or should, speak is not speaking. That is me,” Verstappen told the media on Thursday. 

“I do that on purpose because it makes no sense to start throwing things around, and actually that should be the same for everyone. 

“Some people just like to stir the pot. Some people just like to create drama. For me it’s always been quite clear and also for next year.

“I’m already discussing with the team the plans, the things that we want to change next year, so that means I’m also staying with the team for next year. 

“If my boat is next to Toto’s then the boat is next to Toto’s.You can have a personal relationship with someone even if you don’t have a working relationship with someone.”

When prompted by a journalist about the soap opera that Formula 1 gossip is often compared to, the reigning champion added: “I never made a [soap] opera, I don’t like [soap] opera anyway. I just like to go on holiday and have a good time. I like to come here and do my best, race Formula 1 cars and then go home again. 

“But for me it has been clear, and for me also it’s very clear where I am at.”