Verstappen: "2026 at Red Bull" Was Always Clear, Dismissing Rumors

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands – Max Verstappen has clarified that his situation for the 2026 season was always simpler than was publicly speculated. The current world champion confirmed, prior to the Formula 1 summer break, his continuity with Red Bull, thus clearing up doubts about a possible move to Mercedes, where Toto Wolff had expressed his interest. Much of the rumors about Verstappen’s departure were based on a clause in his contract that was ultimately not activated, due to his position in the championship before the break. The driver, whose contract extends until 2028, stated that he never doubted his future.

For me, it was very, very simple anyway. I just say what I want to say. And I was never stressed about it at all because… of course, naturally, you always want to win. But, at the same time, you just work on the performance.
Max Verstappen

Verstappen added:

In general, I’m a person who is always quite relaxed about it. I don’t stress or go to bed overthinking things. I just live my life, you know, see what happens next. For me, there’s nothing wrong with talking or listening to [offers] or whatever, but everything was under control.
Max Verstappen

Verstappen: "2026 at Red Bull" Was Always Clear, Dismissing Rumors — Max Verstappen, cuatro veces campeón del mundo, actualmente ocupa el tercer lugar en el campeonato.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff had expressed his interest in signing Verstappen, which led to a pause in the contract renewal talks for George Russell. Social media lit up during the summer break when photos of Wolff and Verstappen together on a yacht appeared. Both also met in Sardinia, at the time of greatest speculation about Verstappen’s departure from Red Bull. Verstappen commented on his time with Wolff:

There is no secret. I even went to lunch with Toto and his family and I think that’s absolutely allowed. There’s not even talk of Formula 1 business, it’s just life. We park next to each other because we were in the same bay to sleep and during the day everyone does their own thing.
Max Verstappen

He added: