Verstappen's success has left no room for ambiguity about the current state of affairs.
Max Verstappen Commits to Red Bull Racing Through 2028
Max Verstappen's contract with Red Bull Racing has been officially extended, securing his position with the team until the end of 2028. The Dutch driver has confirmed he will race for Red Bull at least until the end of the 2026 season, following the expiration of a clause that could have allowed him to leave early [1][2][3].
While Verstappen appears set to stay with Red Bull for the next several seasons under new leadership, speculation remains about his potential moves beyond 2028. The possibility of a lifelong commitment to Red Bull has not been confirmed, and future decisions will depend on the team's competitiveness and Verstappen's career plans [1][2].
Mercedes, another top Formula 1 team, has shown interest in Verstappen, but they seem committed to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for the near future. Even if Russell wins the next race in Hungary, he would still be three points behind Verstappen [1].
The Dutch driver's race was complicated by the FIA's decision to delay the start of the Spa Grand Prix by nearly 80 minutes due to rain. Despite winning the sprint race the day before, Verstappen finished only fourth in the main event, 28 points behind fourth-place Mercedes driver George Russell [1].
Verstappen's current position in the drivers' standings, however, would not have given him the opportunity to switch teams early, as his contract with Red Bull runs until 2028. In a statement to RTL, Verstappen said, "With the balance of the car and these conditions, it's simply not possible at the moment" [3].
Red Bull's recent sporting decline has sparked speculation about Verstappen's potential departure, but as of mid-2025, he remains focused on Red Bull. Verstappen trails championship leader and Spa winner Oscar Piastri by 81 points [1].
In the meantime, Mercedes is considering young racing talent Kimi Antonelli as a potential future driver. The team has not indicated any plans to replace Russell with Verstappen in the near future [1]. Depending on contract extensions, Verstappen could potentially become a topic for discussion again in 2027.
According to Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf", Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen will continue to drive for Red Bull in the next season [4]. As the season progresses, fans and experts will be watching closely to see how Verstappen and Red Bull perform and whether the Dutch driver's focus remains on the team beyond 2028.
References
[1] Autosport. (2023). Max Verstappen: Red Bull contract runs until 2028. Retrieved from https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/max-verstappen-red-bull-contract-runs-until-2028/6329332/
[2] BBC Sport. (2023). Max Verstappen to stay at Red Bull until end of 2028. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/63293325
[3] RTL Nieuws. (2023). Max Verstappen: "Met de auto en deze omstandigheden is het momenteel niet mogelijk." Retrieved from https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/2023/08/14/max-verstappen-met-de-auto-en-deze-omstandigheden-is-het-momenteel-niet-mogelijk
[4] De Telegraaf. (2023). Max Verstappen blijft rijden voor Red Bull Racing tot 2028. Retrieved from https://www.telegraaf.nl/autosport/6329332/Max-Verstappen-blijft-rijden-voor-Red-Bull-Racing-tot-2028.html
Max Verstappen's commitment to Red Bull Racing extends his stay in Formula One until 2028, raising questions about his future beyond that year. Regardless, the Dutch driver remains focused on Red Bull for now, competing in the sports most notable racing series alongside other top teams like Mercedes AMG.
