Confirmed: Max Verstappen will stay with Red Bull for the 2026 season
picture by @artoff1
It´s official: Max Verstappen has announced that he will stay with Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season - a long awaited statement from the dutch concerning his contract situation. As already predicted earlier this day, rumors of a Verstappen-Mercedes collaboration are now finally buried - Toto Wolff will keep his current drivers for next season.
What verstappen had to say
Verstappen finally broke silence this afternoon, speaking to the media ahead of the Hungarian GP. He started off by reflecting what happened in the paddock the weeks before:
"The thing is always that people are waffling so much throughout the whole season, while the only one that actually can or should speak is not speaking. That's me.”
“And I do that on purpose because it makes no sense to start throwing things around, and actually that should be the same for everyone. “
"Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama. But, for me, it's always been quite clear, and also for next year.”
Then he finally confirmed: "I'm discussing with the team already the plans, the things that we want to change for next year. So that means that I'm also staying with the team for next year."
The dutch as well responded to speculations according a rumored secret meeting with Toto Wolff in Sardinia: “If my boat is next to Toto's, then the boat is next to Toto's. You can have a personal relationship with someone even if you don't have a working relationship with someone.”
The era continues
After all, Red Bull and Verstappen achieved what seems to be a happy ending: They will work together on building a competitive car for the 2026 season - and essentially, restore peace within the team. The foundation is set: Laurent Mekies, a fresh face taking a diplomatic approach leading the team, a regulated power structure between the representatives from Austrian and Thai side and the four time world champion, Max Verstappen, staying with the team for at least one more year. Now it´s over to Red Bull: Is the foundation stable enough? Or will it crack under pressure?
written by Tizian Hatzmann, 31 July 2025, 18:10