Max Verstappen has confirmed in Hungary on Thursday that he will also drive for Red Bull Racing next year. Despite a contract until the end of 2028, there has been much speculation about his future in recent months.
“It’s about time to put an end to all the speculation and rumors. For me, it was already clear throughout the year that I would stay,” Verstappen said in a packed motorhome at the Hungaroring.
“It was interesting to follow all the news in recent months. I never said anything about it. I was focusing on how we could make the car better, both this year and next year.”
Last month, Mercedes driver George Russell revealed that his contract had not yet been extended because his team boss Toto Wolff saw an opportunity to get Verstappen. Wolff confirmed at the Austrian Grand Prix that he had held exploratory talks with Verstappen.
A deal did not materialize, as became clear around the Belgian Grand Prix. Performance clauses that would allow Verstappen to get out of his more than three-year contract earlier have not been activated. Moreover, Verstappen already said at Spa-Francorchamps that he would love to drive for Red Bull for the rest of his life.
Verstappen: ‘Within the team it was already clear that I would stay’
According to Verstappen, it was also clear within the team that he would simply stay with his current employer. “We were always having conversations about what we could do with the car. And if you no longer have an interest in staying, then you also stop having those kinds of conversations – and I never did.”
Verstappen does not rule out that the speculation about his future will flare up again next year. “If you’re going to ask me about it again, then yes. I won’t say much then either.”
Earlier this week, Red Bull top executive Helmut Marko told German media that Verstappen would ‘simply’ stay next year. “I can confirm that Max Verstappen will also drive for Red Bull in 2026,” Marko said.