Max Verstappen has quelled speculation over his immediate future by confirming he will drive for Red Bull again next year.
The world champion is contracted to drive for Red Bull until 2028 but his future was called into question earlier in the year amid reports of a power struggle within the team in the wake of an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour by Christian Horner.
An internal investigation cleared Horner, following which a staff member was suspended, though she is now reported to have lodged an appeal. Around the same time Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko claimed he was to be suspended by the team.
That did not happen, though at the time it prompted Verstappen to warn: “it’s important that he stays part of the team also for me.”
Mercedes are rumoured to have courted Verstappen as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton when he leaves to join Ferrari next year. This week Mercedes team co-owner Ola Kallenius remarked the Red Bull driver would “look good in silver”.
However Verstappen said today he will not walk out on Red Bull at the end of the year if their car is no longer competitive. “I don’t think that’s how Formula 1 works where then suddenly you can say, ‘well, bye guys’. It’s not how it works.
“I have a long contract with the team, I’m very happy where I’m at. And like I said before, we are focusing also already on next year with things that we can implement, on the car.
“So I guess that should say enough before I’m driving next year.”
Having dominated last season and begun this year strongly, Red Bull have faced stronger competition from their rivals in recent races. Verstappen said his goal is to have a competitive car.
“Naturally of course people are talking, but it’s most important just that we have a very competitive car for the future. At the moment, of course, it’s very tight, but we are working very well as a team to try and improve more. For sure, I said this already with the team, we are working and focusing also on next year to try and be competitive again.”
Earlier this month Red Bull extended the contract of Sergio Perez, who has been Verstappen’s team mate since 2021. The duo will form Red Bull’s longest serving driver pairing.
