‘Put the rumours to rest’ – Max Verstappen confirms plans for next season amid Red Bull exit talk
Max Verstappen has put an end to Formula 1’s biggest transfer drama by confirming that he’ll stay at Red Bull next year.
The reigning four-time world champion has been linked to Mercedes throughout the season and talks have even been confirmed by their current driver George Russell and team principal Toto Wolff.
4
Yet those chats appear to be over, with Verstappen informing the media he’s going nowhere whilst speaking at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
"There were a lot of nice stories and things like that,” he began.
“But, for me, I never said anything about it because I only focused on talking to the team about how we could improve our performance and ideas for next year's car.
“That's why I never had anything to add to it. But yes, I think it's time to put all the rumors to rest.”
read more on max verstappen
The Dutchman added: "It's always been pretty clear to me that I was going to stay.
“I think that was also the general opinion of the team, because we were always talking about what we could do with next year's car.
“I think when you're not interested in staying, you also stop talking about these kinds of things. And I never did.”
Why is Verstappen speaking out now?
Verstappen’s new found certainty about his continuity comes as a surprise as he’s regularly refused to directly answer questions about his future during previous Grand Prix weekends.
Most read in Motorsport
Speculation over a move to Mercedes reached fever pitch in Silverstone at the start of July after a report from Sky Italia claimed that he’d given a ‘yes’ to Wolff about driving for the Silver Arrows.
The 27-year-old then repeatedly refused to give a straight answer about the 2026 season saying he had: "Nothing to add."
4
All that's changed in the three-and-a-half weeks since is the departure of team principal and CEO Christian Horner, who was previously publicly criticised by Verstappen's father Jos.
At the start of the 2024 season Horner was in the storm of allegations from a female employee about inappropriate conduct.
The executive was twice cleared by internal investigations at Red Bull, but Jos then gave a rare interview seemingly in an attempt to put pressure on the team's bosses.
“There is tension here while he remains in position,” he said.
“The team is in danger of being torn apart.
“It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
4
4
Horner weathered the storm, but departures of key employees Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley coincided with a downturn in form which hasn't relented into the 2025 campaign.
The Verstappens have since been pitted against Horner in media reports, something that was referred to by Nico Rosberg in an awkward but must-watch interview with Jos in Belgium.
"Last year you said Horner needs to go because he's going to destroy the team," Rosberg said before being interupted.
Jos responded: "That was one-and-a-half years ago, it's different, I have nothing to say, it's fine."
Read More on talkSPORT
"Now you're quiet..." Rosberg asked.
"I'm always quiet," Jos responded, shooting an angry look at a laughing Rosberg.