Max Verstappen refuses to commit F1 future to Red Bull

Max Verstappen has refused to say whether he will be a Red Bull driver in 2026 as speculation about his future rages on. 

Although he has a contract with the team until the end of the 2028 season, Verstappen's long-term future is in doubt, with Mercedes and Aston Martin both keen to sign him. The Dutchman, who recently became a father for the first time, could also opt for a sabbatical or retirement.

Mercedes' George Russell believes that the delay in re-negotiating his own contract could be due to the fact that the team is speaking with Verstappen, with Toto Wolff a long-time admirer of the four-time champion.

In 2024, Verstappen was asked if he would be at Red Bull "next year", meaning for 2025 which proved the case after a tumultuous start to the year for the team, including severe tensions between boss Christian Horner and Verstappen's father, Jos. 

Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has indicated that Verstappen will stay for the first year of F1's new rules, but when directly asked to confirm this, Verstappen did not give an affirmative answer.

"I’ve had that question before as well in my life," Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365, when simply asked if he would be driving for Red Bull in 2026.

"I don’t think we need to talk about that. I don’t know, do you want me to repeat what I said last year? I don’t know. It’s the same answer. 

"I don’t even remember what I said last year, really. But again, it’s not really on my mind. 

"I'm just driving well, trying to push the performance, and then we focus on next year."

As for 2026, Verstappen feels Red Bull's approach to start switching focus over to the looming rules reset has been the correct decision.

"I think teams are already focusing on 2026, so you will try to get some more performance out of this car," he explained.

"It has already been planned for a while, the steps that will come, but at the same time, 2026 is a big opportunity to get things right. 

"From what I've seen, what I've heard, it has been the right approach by the team."