For the outsider, it must have been a delightful spectacle. Max Verstappen, seated at a small table on the first floor of the Red Bull hospitality suite, surrounded by dozens of journalists eager to learn about the status of Mercedes’ interest in signing him for the next season. Questions are fired at him with Formula 1 speed, but the main character doesn’t flinch.
However, one thing is certain for him, Max Verstappen suddenly assures halfway through the session. “I will definitely not be taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year.”
In the Silverstone paddock, in the run-up to the British Grand Prix, speculation is rife about a potential transfer of the four-time world champion to Mercedes, triggered by recent comments from Mercedes driver George Russell that his team boss Toto Wolff is in talks with Verstappen. According to some media, the new contract has already been signed, others claim that Verstappen is pushing for the departure of team boss Christian Horner from Red Bull, and yet others claim to know everything about the exit clauses Verstappen has in his contract.
‘Situation is Unchanged’
During the media session, all questions about this are put to Verstappen. But Verstappen doesn’t reveal much. Actually, nothing. “The situation is unchanged compared to a week ago. I have nothing to add,” says Verstappen.”The question of whether it would be risky to switch teams in 2026, the year of a new engine regulation in Formula 1, is the follow-up question. Max Verstappen, dryly: “That’s correct. That’s why I have an ongoing contract with Red Bull.”
Verstappen then delves a little deeper into the matter. “No one has the guarantee that they can compete for the championship next year with so many uncertainties due to the new regulation. The only thing I can do is race with the car I have at my disposal then.”
‘A Struggle for Us’
Verstappen: “There’s nothing to say about the chances. Even if you look at the recent past with the current engine regulation; no one expected McLaren to make such a leap. Sometimes it takes time for things to come together. The opposite has happened with us. We had it well organized in the beginning and gradually it became a bit of a struggle for us. It’s up to us to figure out why we haven’t made the same progress compared to some other teams. But from 2026 everything will be different anyway.”
At the end of the session, Verstappen is asked whether a sabbatical is a possibility for him. “No,” he says confidently. “Not even from Formula 1. I definitely want to try to combine Formula 1 with another class in the future if that’s possible.”
And then the media session is already over. Thankfully, you can see Max Verstappen thinking.”
