No deal: Verstappen´s future seems to be clear
The speculations seem to be over: According to dutch newspaper “The Telegraaf”, Max Verstappen will stay at Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season - a surprisingly clear statement in this saga full of rumors and secrecy. However, this is not the only source divining the end of the Verstappen/Mercedes era before it even started - let´s look at all the voices and evidence we have.
pictures by @artoff1
Exit clause erased
The rumours about Verstappen joining Merecedes were primarily fueled by the performance - based exit clause in his Red Bull contract. The clause, allowing him to leave the team without further notice, will be activated if Verstappen is ranked outside the top 3 in the drivers championship before the summer break - which is not longer possible anymore. Being 28 points clear of George Russell, the Dutch will remain in third position no matter how the Hungarian GP folds out. With the exit clause gone, so too disappears the key condition that could have enabled a Verstappen-Mercedes partnership.
Marko clarifies Verstappen’s contract situation
The usually straigthforward Helmut Marko remained tight-lipped amid the contract speculations concerning Verstappen - until the Belgian GP. “Yes, I can confirm Max Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in 2026”, Marko told RTL and sport.de in an interview. A statement that couldn´t be clearer - The Austrian is confident: He will keep his top driver for the 2026 season.
Wolff signals intent to retain both Mercedes drivers
Around the British GP, Wolff already talked about a “high probability” his driver lineup will remain unchanged going into the 2026 season. In an interview with Sky Sports, he went into further detail adressing George Russell´s contract situation: "On the contrary, I would wish to have him in a safe place a little bit earlier. We haven't managed to do that but I'm optimistic that he's going to sleep well over the summer break." According to Sky Sports “the prospective extension would be a multi year deal”, tying him to the team until at least the end of 2027.
Final evaluation
A deal once thought to be historic has faded into just another unconfirmed rumor - Max Verstappen will continue his legacy at Red Bull Racing. If new team principal Laurent Mekies and other responsibles manage to restore peace within the Red Bull squad, Verstappen shouldn´t be too bothered being tied to the team as he repeatedly stated “he wants to end his career at Red Bull” at some time. Seems like a happy ending is still in sight.
written by Tizian Hatzmann, 31 July 2025, 09:07