Max Verstappen has once again shut down rumours of his potential departure from Red Bull Racing F1 team. During a print media session ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen made his intentions clear with the team going forward, and insists on laying the rumours to rest once and for all.
Focus remains on the team and 2026
The Red Bull driver was asked if he had any plans of departing the Austrian-owned team in 2026.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s quite interesting to follow all the nice stories that came out of it,” he shared, almost perplexed by the different narratives surrounding this topic.
Verstappen was firm when sharing his future plans and the role of his current team’s involvement in those plans:
“For me, I’ve never really said anything about it. I just focus on talking to the team, how we can improve our performance, ideas for the future, especially looking at next year,” he said. “That’s why I have nothing really to add.”
Verstappen’s priorities are in order
The Dutchman’s long-term contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, and has been the center of attention and chatter since the beginning of this season, especially since the team has been going through several internal shifts.
However, the driver stated that the noise was louder outside the team rather than within, constantly emphasising that his collaboration and confidence with the team aren’t dependent on public statements, but solely focused on how they can improve together.
“I think it’s time to stop all the rumors,” he bluntly stated. “It’s always been quite clear that I was staying. I think that was also the general feeling in the team. We were constantly discussing what we could do with the car, and that says enough.”
Verstappen’s lack of engagement in this matter implied that the rumours had an ounce of truth, but the matter was quite simple: “When you’re not interested in the noise, you stop talking about these things, and I never did,” he shared.
When questioned if the speculation is likely to return next year, he shrugged it off: “If you ask me that question again next year, then yeah, probably. But I never speak about it.“
Focusing on the 2026 regulation changes
The uncertainty and questions surrounding the 4-time world champion’s future will always be brought into question, but he has his priorities straight: “I just want to focus on performance. That’s why I don’t go into detail about my contract — I never have.”
With 2026 regulation changes approaching, the driver views it with a sense of excitement.
“Next year is completely different, also from the engine side, and everything’s really exciting.”
Whilst spotlighting his strong relationships within the team that give him the confidence to move forward, expressing he “likes the people [he’s] working with,” after so much shared success.
Currently third in the Drivers’ Championship, Max Verstappen bagged a sprint victory last week in Belgium. Now heading toward one final race in Budapest before summer break, the goal is to put Red Bull’s rivals, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes under pressure; Verstappen’s focus, as always, remains firmly on performance and improvement rather than gossip.
