Max Verstappen ready to continue with Red Bull
The F1 defender champion is firm in the third position and therefore the clause of recision of his contract was deactivated after Belgium
Max Verstappen will stay in Red Bull In 2026 after avoiding a possible termination clause in his contract in the Belgium Grand Prix.
Speculations on the output of Max Verstappen of Red Bull increased in recent months, and the director of Mercedes, Toto WolffHe made clear his interest in signing the world champion for next year if the opportunity was presented.
The current champion has a contract with Red Bull Until 2028, but the agreement provided mechanisms for its possible output before that date.
Sources previously confirmed AM850 that Max Verstappen I had freedom to leave Red Bull If there were a quarter or worse in the championship after the Hungary Grand Prix on Sunday, which is followed by the rest of August of the Formula 1.
However, after the weekend of spa-Francorchamps, it has been out of reach of the classified room, George Russell.
Verstappen’s victory at the Sprint on Saturday gave him an advantage of 26 points, and then added two more during the Sunday Grand Prix. A pilot can add a maximum of 25 points in a single weekend of racing.
The Dutch newspaper Der Telegraaf, With good reputation, he wrote on Sunday: “Who still doubted it: Max Verstappen will compete for Red Bull Racing In 2026. … the head of Mercedes, Toto Wolffnow he is completely sure he will spend the next year. “
Verstappen had already hinted that he would continue in Red Bull before Belgium Grand Prix when referring to the recent dismissal of the team’s chief, Christian Horner.
Red Bull He has not yet given a formal reason for Horner’s dismissal, but he was well known in the paddock that maintained a tense relationship with the father of Verstappen, Jos, as with his former ally, Helmut Markowho works as an advisor to the team. The situation will probably boost the pilot market, since the uncertainty about the next step of Verstappen creates a bottleneck in grill decisions.
Ironically, it was George Russell who seemed to run the greatest risk if Verstappen active the clause. English has not yet signed an extension with Mercedes Beyond this season.
George Russell told the media on Thursday that he was “at peace” with the situation and revealed that he still did not have a contract to sign, which suggests that negotiations between him and Wolff are not yet in an advanced phase.
Russell has previously said he hopes to compete in Mercedes Next year and has not talked to any other team.
Cadillac has two seats available for your debut in the F1 In 2026, while Alpine seems to be evaluating the market to find someone to accompany Pierre Gasly The next campaign.
On Sunday night, Verstappen spoke revealingly about the importance of this year’s remaining races to help Red Bull to reach pace in 2026.
“I think it is still important to learn certain things this year, because they will also influence next year,” he said. “Because cars will be completely different, but there are still things where we can work and take them next year.”
“So, of course, engineering and everything else, you know, the design of the car, of course, is underway for next year, but we can still learn a lot this year.”
Red Bullnow led by Laurent Mekiesembarks on an unprecedented project next year.
After finishing your collaboration with Slingthe team is manufacturing its own engines of Formula 1 at its headquarters United Kingdom in Milton Keynes.
The future of Verstappen, beyond 2026, seems to depend on the success of that project with Red Bull.
So much Der Telegraaf as Amus They have reported that Verstappen could look for another team if Red Bull Racing It is not successful next season, which suggests the existence of similar clauses in the part of its 2026 contract.
Waiting for another year will give Verstappen the best opportunity to evaluate the market. A change of regulation as radical as the one provided for next season is impossible to predict.
Sources have informed AM850 that Mercedes He has more and more confidence in his motor project by 2026, but that in itself does not guarantee that the Wolff team is the rival to beat; This year, McLarenyour motor client is overcoming them.
Aston Martin He has invested a lot of money in this regulation cycle and will take charge of the engines agreement Sling of Red Bullwhile Lewis Hamilton has reiterated that he joined Ferrari This year with the intention of fighting for the championship in 2026.
