Max Verstappen Puts Speculation to Rest: Confirms Red Bull Stay for 2026

Dominika Jordan
Jul 31, 2025, 11:34 AM ET

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Max Verstappen Confirms Red Bull Stay for 2026 Amid Speculation

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Max Verstappen has ended weeks of speculation about his future, confirming that he will remain with Red Bull Racing for 2026. The reigning Formula One champion addressed the mounting rumors and sent a clear message during a press conference ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix: "It's time to stop all the rumors."

The Dutch driver’s future became a hot topic in recent weeks after Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff publicly expressed interest in Verstappen. Reports also surfaced that an exit clause in Verstappen’s contract could allow him to leave Red Bull at the end of 2025 if he was ranked fourth or lower in the championship standings at this stage of the season.

However, following his fourth-place finish at last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen sits third in the F1 standings and is comfortably ahead of George Russell in fourth place by 28 points, making the clause moot ahead of this weekend in Hungary.

Verstappen Ends Speculation

On Thursday in Budapest, Verstappen addressed the rumors head-on.

"Yeah, I mean, it's quite interesting to follow all that and the amount of nice stories that came out of it," Verstappen said. "But yeah, for me, I've never really said anything about it because I was just focused on talking to the team about how we can improve our performance, future ideas for next year as well.

And that's why I have nothing really to add ever. But yeah, I think it's time to stop all the rumors. And for me, it's always been quite clear that I was staying anyway.

I think that was also the general feeling in the team anyway, because we were always in discussions about what we could do with the car. And I think when you're not interested in staying, then you also stop talking about these kinds of things. And I never did."

Contractually Committed, Focused on the Future

Verstappen signed an extension in 2022 that keeps him with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, giving him plenty of time to continue his quest for more championships with the team. When asked whether similar speculation about his future could arise again, Verstappen kept his focus on the task at hand.

"I don’t know," he joked. "If you ask me that question next year, then yes, we will have that speculation!

But for me, I never speak about it. Because I'm more interested in just working on the performance of things. That’s why I also never really talk about what is in my contract."

A New Chapter with Mekies at the Helm

Red Bull’s future under Verstappen coincides with changes at the top of the team. Earlier this month, Christian Horner, who had been at the helm since Red Bull debuted in F1 in 2005, was replaced by Laurent Mekies, the former Racing Bulls team principal. The leadership change marks a turning point in what has been a challenging season for the team.

Verstappen expressed confidence in Mekies’ fresh perspective and approach.

"Yeah, absolutely," Verstappen said. "That's always the case.

Of course, it's still very early days, but I do like how Laurent is working. Very motivated, constantly asking the right questions to me, but also to the team. It's nice to see.

This year it's very difficult to see any kind of benefit from that, but I hope in the coming year, two years, that we can really see his touch to the team. I'm very excited for that."

While Red Bull faces an uphill battle to reclaim its peak performance, Verstappen’s commitment gives the team a critical foundation on which to rebuild. For now, though, Verstappen remains laser-focused on improving the car and ensuring Red Bull remains a dominant force in F1 for seasons to come.