Max Verstappen has reportedly chosen to remain with Red Bull Racing for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The decision was said to have been made during the Belgian Grand Prix, putting to rest months of speculation surrounding his future with the Austrian outfit. Verstappen’s contract with the team based in Milton Keynes has been a hot topic for over a year and a half, especially with Mercedes expressing strong interest in signing the Dutch driver.
Amid internal struggles and power dynamics within Red Bull, rumors had emerged suggesting that the four-time world champion was considering a move away. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has maintained consistent communication with Verstappen and his camp in an effort to lure him to the German squad.
According to reports, Verstappen has committed to Red Bull through the 2026 season but has not ruled out the possibility of departing after that. Though his current contract runs through the end of 2028, there are believed to be certain clauses that could allow him to exit earlier under specific conditions.
With Verstappen’s decision to stay, Mercedes is expected to retain its current driver lineup of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Both drivers’ contracts are set to expire after the 2025 season, but Wolff had delayed renewal talks due to his pursuit of Verstappen. Now, new deals for Russell and Antonelli may soon be finalized.
Following the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen also commented on the Red Bull RB21’s performance, highlighting a key area of concern. He noted that the car struggled with tire management during the race, which affected his ability to challenge Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Despite a close attempt to overtake in the Eau Rouge section, Verstappen explained that the loss of downforce when trailing another car made the RB21 difficult to handle.
He acknowledged that the choice of rear wing setup—optimized for wet conditions that never fully materialized—also played a role, but emphasized that their main issue remains preserving tire performance during races. He stated that even after switching to slick tires, Leclerc continued to edge ahead with each lap.
As the season progresses past the halfway mark, Verstappen finds himself trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 81 points in the Drivers’ Championship standings.