Max Verstappen has officially confirmed that he will remain with Red Bull Racing through the 2026 season, putting to rest ongoing rumors about a potential team switch. Despite having a contract extending to 2028, recent speculation surrounding a performance dip by Red Bull and a break clause raised questions about his future with the team.
Verstappen’s connection to Red Bull had been uncertain at times, with reports suggesting interest from Mercedes and the driver often referencing his contract without explicitly confirming his loyalty beyond 2025. The reigning champion chose to clarify his position just before the Hungarian Grand Prix, emphasizing his focus on performance improvements rather than transfer rumors.
Insights Into Verstappen’s Position on Team Performance and Contract Terms
Last weekend in Belgium, Verstappen highlighted several areas where Red Bull must enhance its car to maintain competitiveness. A contractual clause reportedly allowed Verstappen to leave if the team was not in the top three by this point in the season, but Red Bull’s standing prevented activation of that option.
Before the Hungarian GP, Verstappen addressed the speculation directly, stating:
“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 basically stop all the rumors. And for me, it’s always been quite clear that I was staying anyway.” —Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
He further explained the consistency of his commitment with the team approach:
“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.” —Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
Mercedes Confirms Stability in 2026 Driver Lineup Amid Transfer Quiet
While Verstappen’s future is now clear, Mercedes is expected to confirm that their driver lineup will remain unchanged for 2026, retaining George Russell alongside Kimi Antonelli. Russell himself commented on transfer rumors, emphasizing confidence about his seat security this year.
“I’ve never feared losing my seat and that’s not even been on the table once this year, even though, of course, you guys [the media] like to make a big deal out of it,” Russell said.
“I’ve waited so long and I think now I want to get through this weekend, I want to go on holiday next week and enjoy the break, and there is no time pressure on my side, there’s no time pressure from the team side. So, whenever we come to an agreement, we’ll get it done, but it’s got to be right both ways.” —George Russell, Mercedes Driver
This suggests that driver movements are likely to be minimal in the near future following significant changes from 2024 to 2025.
Remaining Unknowns in Driver Positions for 2026
While Verstappen’s position with Red Bull is assured, the team has yet to announce who will be his teammate for next season. Additionally, Alpine faces a vacancy alongside Pierre Gasly, and the driver lineups for both Red Bull’s secondary squad and the new Cadillac team debuting in 2026 are still unresolved.
These developments reflect a period of stability mixed with some ongoing uncertainties in Formula 1’s driver market as the sport prepares for upcoming technical and competitive challenges.
Context on Coverage and Formula 1 Interests
Phillip Horton, who began reporting on Grand Prix events while still a university student, has been closely following the evolving landscape of Formula 1. Since joining Autoweek in 2021, he continues to cover the sport’s intricate behind-the-scenes dynamics, appreciating the global destinations Formula 1 visits as much as the racing action itself.
