Max Verstappen, the Formula 1 world champion, insists to race for the Red Bull F1 team in 2025.
In an interaction with reporters, the Dutch driver had earlier passed vague statements regarding his future at Red Bull F1. He had kept his decision hidden and hanging because of an internal team instability over management issues.
Speculations concerning Verstappen leaving the Red Bull merged at Jeddah. He won three championship titles and won 61 grand prix with Red Bull F1 team. Additionally, he has an ongoing contract until end of 2028 campaign.
Management war at Red Bull engulfed Christian Horner, team principal, who faced harassment investigation. In this tug of war, Verstappen supported Helmut Marko, motorsport advisor.
However, those chances have faded because of Marko’s understanding with the Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff. Following those speculations, Mercedes have shown great interest in the driver.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes F1 boss, expressed his heart out and said: “It’s a kind of a relationship that needs to happen at a certain stage.
However, Wolff denied of any formal engagement with the driver and said there were “no talks that are taking place at this stage – because I think we need to look on ourselves and on improving the car”.
Ola Kallenius, Mercedes Benz CEO, expressed his interest in the driver. He believes the opportunity to take the Dutch on board lies in 2026. The F1 would head into 2026 engine rules and believes Verstappen “would look good in silver”.
In pre-event press conference at Red Bull arena, reporters asked Verstappen whether he could put speculations to rest.
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“I think I’ve said this before,” Verstappen replied. “I mean 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.
“And for sure, I said this already with the team, we’re working and focusing on next year to try and be competitive again.”
Verstappen added: “I have a long contract with the team. I’m very happy where I’m at and, like I said before, we’re focusing also already on next year with things we can implement on the car.
“So, I guess that should say enough of where I’m driving next year.”
