Max Verstappen manager provides fresh update on F1 future

Max Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has moved to quell speculation surrounding the four-time F1 drivers' champion's future, insisting the Dutchman intends to see out his Red Bull contract despite ongoing rumours linking him with a move away.

Questions over Verstappen's future have intensified in recent weeks as Red Bull continues to endure a difficult campaign.

The 28-year-old is in his 11th season with the Milton Keynes-based outfit, but appears set for his least successful campaign since joining the team.

The British Grand Prix proved particularly frustrating for Verstappen, whose race unravelled after the novel rotating rear wing on the RB22 had a failure for the second consecutive grand prix weekend.

He ultimately ended up in the gravel, with his disappointment after the race only fuelling further speculation over his long-term future.

Those rumours gathered further pace when Vermeulen and Verstappen's father, Jos, were seen meeting Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko in Amsterdam a week later.

However, speaking to Austrian publication OE24, Vermeulen played down the significance of the meeting.

"That was a private meeting that had been arranged long ago," he explained, backing up Marko's account. "Also, Max's sister got married."

Vermeulen also addressed Verstappen's plans beyond the current season, making it clear the 71-time grand prix winner has no intention of leaving Red Bull before the end of his current deal.

"There's a lot being written about it," he said. "But the truth is, Max wants to finish his time with Red Bull. He has a contract until 2028 and would like to fulfil it."

That statement also extends to the exit clause contained within Verstappen's contract.

"The fact that this clause exists doesn't mean we'll activate it," Vermeulen added. "We could have activated it in recent years as well, and we haven't."