Red Bull racing driver Max Verstappen affirms his commitment to the team for the upcoming season, quelling rumors about his impending departure.
Max Verstappen has put an end to the speculation surrounding his future in Formula 1, confirming that he will remain with Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season and beyond.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen confirmed that his contract with Red Bull will run through to the end of 2028. Recent performance clauses in his contract, which could have allowed him to exit if he fell outside the top three in the drivers' championship by the summer break, will no longer be applicable for 2026.
Verstappen's strong results this season, including a fourth place in Belgium which secured him at least third in the standings, have prevented these exit clauses from triggering.
With Formula 1 entering a new engine era in 2026, Red Bull is set to develop its own power unit after splitting from Honda. Verstappen and the team are actively working on performance improvements and adapting to the new regulations starting next season.
Despite rumours of interest from Mercedes, Verstappen has explicitly stated that he will remain committed to Red Bull. He dismissed speculation about moving to Mercedes or other teams for the upcoming season, stating that his boat being near Toto Wolff's does not imply a working relationship.
Verstappen currently finds himself in third place in the drivers' championship standings, 81 points behind leader Max Piastri of McLaren. Ferrari is currently ahead of Red Bull in the constructor's standings, with McLaren also ahead of Red Bull. The 2022 season has been underwhelming for Verstappen and Red Bull, with the team currently in fourth place in the constructor's standings.
Christian Horner, long-time team principal of Red Bull, was fired earlier this month after 20 successful years with the team. His departure has raised questions about the team's future direction, but Verstappen's commitment to Red Bull provides some stability as the team prepares for the new era in Formula 1.
In summary, Max Verstappen is contractually locked with Red Bull until 2028, with exit clauses for poor performance no longer applicable for 2026. Red Bull is transitioning to a new power unit in 2026 after ending its Honda partnership. Verstappen and the team are actively working on performance improvements and adapting to the new regulations starting next season. Verstappen has confirmed his full commitment to Red Bull for the 2026 Formula One season, putting an end to months of speculation about his future with the team.
Max Verstappen's commitment to Red Bull Racing extends beyond the 2026 season, making him a notable participant in motorsport. Regardless of the emergence of new sports regulations and engine eras, his dedication to Red Bull remains unwavering.
