Verstappen Confirms His Continuity with Red Bull: “It’s Time to Stop the Rumors”
Star driver Max Verstappen has put an end to speculation about his future in Formula 1, confirming that he will remain at Red Bull next year. The reigning world champion has stated that it is time to put an end to the rumors that have been circulating in recent weeks. The uncertainty about Verstappen’s future intensified after Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff expressed his interest in having the driver in his team. In a press conference held in Hungary, Verstappen stated: “It’s interesting to see all those stories. For me, I never said anything because I was focused on talking to the team about how to improve our performance and ideas for next year. I think it’s time to stop the rumors. I was always clear that I would stay.” Verstappen signed his current contract with Red Bull in 2022, committing to the team until the end of the 2028 season.When asked about the possibility of speculation repeating itself next year, Verstappen replied: “I don’t know. If you ask me that question next year, yes, we will have that speculation! But I never talk about that. I am more interested in working on the performance of things. That’s why I don’t talk about what’s in my contract either.” The confirmation of Verstappen’s continued presence at Red Bull comes after the change in the team’s management, with the departure of director Christian Horner after the British Grand Prix. Horner, who had been with the team since his F1 debut in 2005, has been replaced by former Racing Bulls director Laurent Mekies. Verstappen commented that the arrival of Mekies, in a season in which his chances of defending the title have diminished, offers the team the opportunity to rethink and challenge some of the ways it has operated previously. “Yes, absolutely. It’s always like that. It’s very early, but I like how Laurent is working. He’s very motivated, asking the right questions, both to me and the team. It’s nice to see. I hope that in the next year, two years, we can see his touch on the team. I’m very excited about that.”It was always pretty clear that I would stay anyway.
Max Verstappen
