Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has confirmed that Max Verstappen will stay at the team for the 2026 F1 season.
The news was expected following the Belgian Grand Prix, after a clause in the Dutchman's contract allowing him to leave the Milton Keynes-based squad became null and void.
The provision, which essentially expired after the race at Spa-Francorchamps, could have seen the four-time F1 drivers' champion released early from his contract, which runs until 2028, to seek pastures new next year.
If Verstappen found himself outside the top three in the F1 drivers' standings at the summer break, that clause could have been triggered.
However, with the 27-year-old 28 points clear of George Russell in fourth place in the standings, regardless of results at the Hungarian Grand Prix, that escape route cannot be activated.
As such, Marko announced Verstappen will now stay put for the new campaign, which will see F1 usher in a brand new era of regulations.
"Yes, I can confirm that Max Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in 2026," the Austrian told Sport.De.
The development brings weeks of speculation over the 65-time grand prix winner's F1 future to a close, with his pathway to Mercedes now blocked until 2027 at the earliest.
Verstappen has been closely linked to the Brackley team and has been engaged in talks with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over joining the eight-time constructors' champions.
Although the chances of that happening for 2026 were always slim, the 53-year-old made it clear over the weekend in the Ardennes Forest that he wanted to continue with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for now.
Nonetheless, Verstappen joining forces with Wolff remains a very real possibility for the season after. RacingNews365 understands there to be a further clause in his contract that can be activated if he is outside the top two in the F1 drivers' championship next summer.
With the uncertainty of the new rules slate, if Red Bull cannot produce a competitive car in its first season as a power unit manufacturer, Verstappen may opt to leave for a home he feels can help deliver him more championships.
Also interesting:
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