Max Verstappen is staying with Red Bull next year. Photo: Photosport
Four-times Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has ended speculation about a move to Mercedes next season by confirming for the first time that he will race on with Red Bull.
"I think it's time to stop all the rumours. For me, it was always quite clear that I was staying," the Dutch driver told reporters on Friday ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
"And that was the general feeling in the team because we are always in discussion about what we could do with the car and when you're not staying you stop talking about these kind of things. And I never did."
Formula 1 starts a new engine era next year in a major shake-up that could change the pecking order, with Mercedes expected to lead the way while Red Bull are making their own power unit after a split with Honda.
Reigning champion Verstappen has known break clauses in his contract but they have not been triggered, with the 27-year-old third in the standings at the mid-point and with two wins from 13 races.
It was widely accepted in Formula 1 that Verstappen would be staying, with the rumour-mill already turning to a possible exit from Red Bull in 2027 with performance clauses again applying next year.
Verstappen otherwise has a Red Bull contract that runs through 2028.
The sacking of Christian Horner last month as Red Bull team boss was also widely seen as another step by the energy drink company to convince the sport's most sought-after driver to stay with them.
"Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama. But, for me, it's always been quite clear," said Verstappen.
George Russell of Mercedes and Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Photo: AFP
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said last week that retaining his current lineup of George Russell and Italian Kimi Antonelli was a priority.
Russell told reporters separately at the Hungaroring that he was sure to be racing for Mercedes next year but nothing would be signed until after the August break, which follows the Hungarian race.
While Russell's current deal expires at the end of the year, he has been under a management contract with Mercedes since he was 16 - meaning his employers are effectively negotiating with themselves.
"Conversations have started but we are now heading into the summer break," said Russell.
"Toto and I have spoken a lot this week but we haven't spoken once about the contract because we're both trying to solve the car's performance and get the team in the right place.
"And I personally want to go into the summer break and enjoy the only two weeks off I have in the year and I do not want to be thinking about contracts," he added. "There is not really a major time pressure now from my side, nor from Mercedes' side."
Ferrari boss staying put
Meanwhile, Ferrari has announced a multi-year contract extension with Formula 1 team boss Fred Vasseur, ending immediate speculation about the Frenchman's future at the helm of the sport's oldest, most successful and glamorous constructor.
Vasseur, 57, has been in the post since the beginning of 2023 and was key to persuading seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton to join from Mercedes this season.
His tenure was questioned earlier in the year with reports suggesting Ferrari had sounded out Christian Horner, the Briton who was sacked by Red Bull this month and has yet to comment on what he will do next.
"Today we want to recognise what has been built and commit to what still needs to be achieved," said Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna in a statement.
"It reflects our trust in Fred's leadership, a trust rooted in shared ambition, mutual expectations and clear responsibility."
Speaking to reporters later, Vigna said it was always accepted that it would take more than three years to turn things around and denied approaching anyone else.
"Let's say we have never spoken with other team principal candidates," he said.
Ferrari are second in the championship after 13 of the season's 24 races but a massive 268 points adrift of dominant champions McLaren.
Hamilton, the most successful driver in the history of the sport with 105 wins, has yet to stand on the podium for his new employers although he did win a Saturday sprint in Shanghai in March.
- Reuters
