Verstappen Make Sure To Stay In Red Bull Next Season, End Speculation Moves To Mercedes

Max Verstappen, stay in Red Bull next year (photo: x @VerstappenCOM)

JAKARTA Formula 1 world champion four times, Max Verstappen, has finally ended speculation about his future. The Dutch racer who was born in Belgium confirmed that he would continue to race with Red Bull for the 2026 season. This statement was made by Verstappen to reporters ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"I think it's time to stop all rumors. For me, from the start it was clear enough that I would stay at Red Bull," said the Dutch racer, Thursday, July 31.

And that's what the team feels in general, because we always discuss what can be done with cars. If you don't plan to stay, you'll stop talking about things like that and I've never done it," said the four-time F1 champion.

Speculation about the possibility of Verstappen moving to Mercedes has been sticking out in recent months, especially because of a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave if Red Bull's performance was unsatisfactory. However, until the middle of this season, the clause has not been activated. Verstappen is currently in third place in the standings with two wins from 13 races.

The new Formula 1 era will begin in the 2026 season, where engine regulations have undergone major changes. Mercedes is expected to be a major force, while Red Bull will produce their own power units after splitting from Honda.

Although most parties in the paddock have suspected Verstappen will remain in Red Bull, rumors are now starting to shift to the possibility of his departure in 2027, when the performance clause comes back into effect. Currently, his contract with Red Bull is still going on until 2028.

The dismissal of Christian Horner as head of the Red Bull team this month is also believed to be a strategic step from the energy beverage company to maintain its flagship racers.

Some people like to stir up the situation, enjoy creating dramas. But for me, everything was clear from the start, "said Verstappen.

Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff emphasized that his current team's priority is to maintain the current line-up, namely George Russell and young Italian racer Kimi Antonelli.

Russell, in a separate interview at Hungaroring, said he was almost certainly still racing for Mercedes next season, although his new contract would not be signed until the summer break.

Russell's contract expires at the end of this season, but he has been under Mercedes since he was 16 years old. This means that the contract negotiation process is practically carried out by the internal team itself.

"Talks have started, but now we're going into the summer break," Russell said. "Toto and I've been talking a lot this week, but haven't even discussed the contract yet, because we're more focused on solving car performance issues and getting the team back on track. right."

"I personally want to enjoy this two-week break my only holiday time in a year without having to think about a contract," Russell added. There is currently no time pressure from my side or from Mercedes.

With confirmation from Verstappen and clarity from Mercedes, the composition of top riders for the 2026 season is starting to look even more solid even though the dynamics of Formula 1 which is full of surprises still leaves room for the next drama.