Max Verstappen will remain loyal to Red Bull Racing until 2026, as confirmed by Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko to German media. “Max Verstappen will be with Red Bull in 2026,” he told RTL/ntv and sport.de. This puts an end, for now, to speculations about a possible move by the Dutchman to Mercedes.
Although Verstappen remained non-committal during the Grand Prix weekend in Spa, he sounded positive about his future with the team. “Overall, I’m quite happy with where I am,” the four-time world champion reiterated. “And I hope – and that was always the goal when we signed our last agreement – that I race here until the end of my career.”
A possible move to Mercedes was long seen as a serious option, especially after internal tensions within Red Bull earlier this year. These tensions recently cost team boss Christian Horner his job. However, the so-called ‘exit clause’ in his contract, which allowed Verstappen to leave under certain conditions, is no longer active. Due to his lead over George Russell in the World Championship standings, Verstappen cannot lose his third place before the summer break, which nullifies one of the conditions for that clause. The only other option would involve a hefty buyout. Verstappen has a contract with the energy drink manufacturer until 2028.
Despite Marko’s claim, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is keeping his options open. “It’s my job to find out what Max wants to do in the coming years,” he told Sky Sports cameras. “That’s not just for 2026, but also beyond.” Speaking to Austrian public broadcaster ORF, Wolff indicated he plans to continue with George Russell and newcomer Kimi Antonelli for now, but he also emphasized that ‘everyone is aware of the ongoing discussions’.”
