Max Verstappen has confirmed he’ll race for Crimson Bull in 2026, saying “it’s time to principally cease all of the rumors” about him doubtlessly leaving on the finish of the season.
The defending champion had been linked with a transfer to Mercedes and had held discussions with Toto Wolff to grasp potential future choices, however stays beneath contract at Crimson Bull till 2028. His present deal contains performance-related clauses which are believed to focus round this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, and Verstappen is assured to stay within the prime three within the drivers’ championship no matter the place he finishes on Sunday.
“It is fairly attention-grabbing to observe all (the rumors) and the quantity of good tales that got here out of it,” Verstappen mentioned. “However yeah, for me, I’ve by no means actually mentioned something about it as a result of I used to be simply centered on speaking to the workforce about how we are able to enhance our efficiency, future concepts for subsequent yr as properly. And that is why I had nothing actually so as to add, ever.
“However I feel it is time to principally cease all of the rumors. And for me, it is at all times been fairly clear that I used to be staying anyway.
“I feel that was additionally the final feeling within the workforce, as a result of we have been at all times in discussions about what we may do with the automotive. And I feel if you’re not fascinated about staying, then you definately cease speaking about these sorts of issues. And I by no means did.”
Provided that his contract runs till 2028, Verstappen mentioned he doesn’t know if he might want to affirm his future annually, however that he gained’t focus on any additional performance-related clauses.
“For those who ask me that query subsequent yr, then sure, we can have that hypothesis!,” he mentioned. “However for me, I by no means talk about it, as a result of I am extra fascinated about simply engaged on the efficiency of issues. That is why I additionally by no means actually discuss what’s in my contract.”
Affirmation from Verstappen that he’ll race for Crimson Bull subsequent season comes shortly after Laurent Mekies changed Christian Horner as workforce principal, and the four-time world champion mentioned that Mekies provides an opportunity for a change in path that might present leads to future years.
“Completely, that’s at all times the case,” he mentioned. “After all, it is nonetheless very early days, however I do like how Laurent is working. Very motivated, continually asking the proper inquiries to me, but additionally to the workforce. It is good to see.
“This yr it is very tough to see any sort of profit from that, however I hope within the coming yr, two years, that we are able to actually see his contact to the workforce. I am very excited for that.”
Verstappen is hopeful that his feedback will assist Crimson Bull to proceed to deal with looking for extra efficiency with its present automotive, with the goal of studying that may profit the workforce in future.
“No-one actually is aware of for subsequent yr the place they are going to be at,” he mentioned. “And for us this yr, realistically, it’ll be very tough, after all, to struggle McLaren. It is already tough sufficient to struggle with Ferrari and Mercedes.
“However there’s nonetheless quite a lot of alternative to be taught extra concerning the automotive, and the conduct of the automotive. As a result of I do know that the vehicles can be completely different subsequent yr, [but] there are nonetheless issues that you may take out of this yr and in addition implement for subsequent yr.”
