‘stop The Rumours’: Max Verstappen Confirms He Will Be With Red Bull In 2026

Max Verstappen has confirmed for nan first clip that he will enactment pinch Red Bull aft George Russell admitted he is connected nan brink of a caller Mercedes contract.

Verstappen’s break clause from his Red Bull woody tin nary longer beryllium activated, aft his fourth-placed decorativeness successful Belgium past Sunday ensured he will not beryllium little than 3rd successful nan world title astatine nan summertime break which follows this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Asked astatine nan Hungaroring if he tin opportunity for definite that he will beryllium astatine Red Bull successful 2026, Verstappen replied: “Yes. I ne'er really said thing astir it because I was conscionable focused connected talking to nan squad astir improving our performance, early ideas and adjacent twelvemonth and that is why I had thing really to add.

“But I deliberation it is clip to extremity each nan rumours. For me, it was ever rather clear that I was staying anyhow and that was nan wide emotion successful nan squad because we were ever successful chat astir what we could do pinch nan car and erstwhile you’re not willing successful staying, you extremity talking astir these benignant of things, and I ne'er did.”

Mercedes person made small concealed of their desire to motion nan four-time world champion. As it stands, Russell – who contempt a bid of awesome performances this twelvemonth - is without a woody for 2026.

Speaking anterior to Verstappen, Russell, who it is understood has received a statement connection from Mercedes successful nan past week, said: “Conversations person started. We are now heading into nan summertime break.

“I person spoken a batch pinch [Mercedes CEO and squad principal] Toto [Wolff] this week, but we person not spoken erstwhile astir nan statement because we are some trying to lick nan capacity and getting nan squad successful nan correct place. And that is genuine.

George Russell is presently 4th successful nan drivers’ title standings, down Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Photograph: Anna Szilágyi/EPA

“I want to spell into nan summertime break and bask nan only 2 weeks disconnected I person successful nan year. I don’t want to beryllium reasoning astir contracts. And location isn’t really a awesome clip unit now from my side, nor from Mercedes’ side, because of nan Verstappen business and I presume he is staying astatine Red Bull.

“Not that I was ever concerned astir that but from nan team’s position I conjecture that has an impact. From my side, I was ne'er concerned I was going to suffer my seat. I want to spell into this play and effort and get nan squad backmost connected way and execute amended than we person shown astatine nan past six races. Then I americium going to spell consecutive connected vacation for 2 weeks and do a week’s training and I want to bask that to beryllium honest.”

It was past put to Russell, 27, that he will beryllium driving for Mercedes adjacent season, but it is now conscionable a mobility of really his statement looks. He replied: “Yes, I conjecture so.”

Despite nan continued speculation surrounding suggestions Verstappen could waste and acquisition Red Bull for Mercedes, those adjacent to nan Russell campy person indicated for a number of weeks nan 27-year-old is highly assured of striking a statement extension.

Russell has scored 157 points to rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli’s 63 aft 13 of nan 24 rounds. Mercedes are 3rd successful nan constructors’ standings, 296 points adrift of McLaren.