Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver for Red Bull Racing, has stated that he has no intention of leaving the Formula 1 team despite rumors linking him to a potential move to Mercedes. Verstappen has been with Red Bull for his entire F1 career and has achieved an impressive 55 race victories and three consecutive Drivers’ Championships. However, speculation about his future has arisen due to internal tensions within the Red Bull team. Verstappen’s father, Jos, expressed concerns about the leadership of Christian Horner, which led to further speculation when he was seen talking with Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff. When asked about his contract with Red Bull, Verstappen affirmed his commitment to the team and stated that there is no reason for him to leave as long as they continue to perform.
Mercedes made an attempt to recruit Verstappen in 2015 when he was not part of a program, but they were unable to offer him an immediate promotion to Formula 1. Verstappen, however, believes that Red Bull’s dominance in the sport proves that there are no better options available elsewhere.
Verstappen emphasized that in life, one can never predict what will happen or what opportunities may arise. He approaches his life with a relaxed mindset and is content with his current team. He sees no reason to leave as the team’s performance is satisfactory.
There is a possibility that Verstappen could leave the leading force in Formula 1 for a team that has only achieved one victory in the past two seasons. This potential move may be influenced by the upcoming rule changes in 2026, which could result in an engine-dominated formula. When asked about his confidence in Red Bull’s collaboration with Ford on the development of an F1 power unit, Verstappen expressed that it is impossible to know the outcome at this stage. He trusts the process and hopes that the engine will be fast once it is fully ready.
Verstappen also clarified that the team’s recent success in Bahrain, where he won with a 22-second lead, demonstrates that the off-track distractions have not affected their on-track performance. While the team would prefer to avoid such moments, it shows their focus and determination to perform well on the track.