After months of speculation around a possible transfer to Mercedes, Max Verstappen decided. The quadruple world champion confirmed that he would stay at Red Bull for the 2026 season. A statement that ends one of the most scrutive soap opera of the paddock.
Present this Thursday in the Hungarring paddock, Max Verstappen finally spoke to cut short the persistent rumors over his future. Since the start of the season, corridor noises have continued to mention contacts between Dutch and Mercedes, fueled by a Toto Wolff in search of a real successor to Lewis Hamilton. But the main interested party ended the suspense: he will not move.
“I have never really answered all this because I was focused on the development of the car and on discussions with the teamhe explained. But I think it’s time to end all these rumors. For me, it has always been clear: I stay at Red Bull. “
A outing clause now offside
Earlier in the week, we had revealed to you that the famous exit clauses included in the Verstappen contract – which runs until 2028 – would no longer be activated in the summer break. Indeed, Verstappen will be in the top 3 of the F1 pilots ranking at that time, a sine qua non condition for these options to be valid.
These contractual provisions could however become relevant in the summer of 2026. Asked about a possible rehearsal of the media soap opera next year, Verstappen kicked in touch: “If you ask me the question in 2026, then yes, we may talk about it again. But I don’t like to express myself on my contract. I prefer that my results speak for me.”
No departure before 2027 at the earliest
Despite the vagueness maintained in recent months, a departure from Red Bull from the end of 2025 seemed unrealistic. Verstappen, strategist, knows that 2026 will mark the entry into force of a brand new technical regulations. It would therefore be logical that he was waiting to see which stable will be able to get out of the game best before positioning himself for 2027 and beyond.
With this announcement, one of the largest questions on the transfer market has just been lifted. All eyes are now turning to Mercedes, who must manage the future of George Russell and the expected hatching of the young Kimi Antonelli. The German team will have to do without Verstappen and will have to bet on its own pool of talents to rebuild its project.