Max Verstappen has confirmed for the first time that he will remain at Red Bull – after George Russell admitted he was close to signing a new deal with Mercedes.
The break clause in Verstappen's Red Bull contract can no longer be triggered after his fourth place in Belgium last Sunday ensured he will not drop below third in the world championship for the summer break that follows this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.
Asked at the Hungaroring if he could say with certainty that he would be at Red Bull in 2026, Verstappen replied: “Yes. I never said anything about it because I was focused on talking with the team about improving our results, future plans and next year, so I didn't really have anything to add.”
“But I think it's time to put an end to all these rumours. I was always very clear that I would stay anyway, and that was the general opinion in the team, because we were constantly discussing what could be done with the car, and when you don't want to stay, you stop talking about it, which I never did.”
Until Thursday, Verstappen, third in the world championship and 81 points off title pace, had been slow to confirm he would drive for Red Bull beyond this year, despite having another three-and-a-half years on his contract.
His statement came 23 days after Christian Horner learned he had been ousted as Red Bull team principal and CEO.
Verstappen's father Jos, in the Red Bull guest suite on Thursday as his son put an end to speculation over his future beyond 2026, said early last year that Red Bull would “explode” if Horner stayed.
Verstappen added on Sky Sports: “Some people just like to add fuel to the fire and some people just like to create drama, but for me (the future) was always very clear.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
