Hungaroring, Hungary – Max Verstappen has ended months of speculation about his Formula 1 future, confirming he will remain with Red Bull Racing for next season, despite interest from Mercedes.
The four-time world champion, who is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, faced weeks of rumors linking him with a potential switch to Mercedes as the Silver Arrows considered their long-term driver lineup. However, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen was clear about his intentions.
“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,” Verstappen told reporters at the Hungaroring. “Future ideas for next year were always the priority. That’s why I never felt the need to respond to rumors.”
Verstappen emphasized that discussions within Red Bull had always been centered on development, signaling his desire to remain part of the team’s ambitious plans. “I think it’s time to basically stop all the rumours,” he said.
“For me, it was always clear I was staying. I think that was also the general feeling in the team because we were constantly discussing car improvements. If you’re not planning to stay, you stop having those talks—and I never did.”
The announcement carries significant implications for Mercedes. With Verstappen no longer a target, the Brackley-based team is expected to continue with its current pairing of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli into next season.
Russell, who had anticipated Verstappen’s decision, expressed no disappointment and said he was “not in a hurry” to finalize his new contract.
Speaking to media, Russell explained that his focus remained on performance and clarity within the team. “I just want to make sure I have reassurances about my position because it’s a unique situation at Mercedes right now,” he said, referring to the team’s ongoing restructuring following Lewis Hamilton’s departure.
Verstappen’s commitment comes at a crucial time for Red Bull, who are facing mounting pressure from rivals Ferrari and McLaren. Despite leading the championship, the team has experienced fluctuating performance in recent races, prompting internal discussions about next year’s car development.
Team principal Christian Horner welcomed Verstappen’s public confirmation, calling it “a boost to stability and morale” ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. “Max is a critical part of our future plans,” Horner said. “We’ve been confident he would stay, but it’s always good to put speculation to rest.”
As the Formula 1 season enters its mid-summer stretch, the focus now shifts back to on-track performance. Verstappen will start the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend as a favorite to extend his championship lead, with fans eager to see whether Red Bull can maintain their edge at the technical Hungaroring circuit.
With his future now secured, Verstappen can concentrate solely on racing, while Mercedes prepares to continue their rebuilding efforts with Russell and Antonelli in the 2025 campaign.