Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, stated that his plans for the 2026 season were always much simpler than public speculation suggested.
Despite rumors of a potential move to Mercedes, fueled by team principal Toto Wolff’s open interest and talk of an exit clause in Verstappen’s Red Bull contract, he confirmed before the F1 summer break that he would remain with Red Bull, where he is contracted until 2028.
Verstappen told ESPN that he was never stressed about his future, emphasizing that his focus was on performance and winning, not rumors.
He described his approach as relaxed, noting that he doesn’t overthink or lose sleep over such matters and was open to discussions but felt his situation was always under control and straightforward.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, openly considered signing Max Verstappen, sidelining contract extension talks with George Russell while the option was viable.
During the Formula 1 summer break, social media erupted with speculation after photos showed Wolff and Verstappen on the same yacht, especially since both had vacationed in the same Sardinian area when rumors of Verstappen’s potential departure from Red Bull peaked.
Verstappen dismissed any secrecy, saying, “There’s no secret,” and clarified that he joined Wolff and his family for lunch, describing it as a casual, non-business interaction.
He explained they were simply moored in the same bay and crossed paths naturally, valuing their friendly relationship beyond the sport’s rivalry. Mercedes is expected to stick with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as their drivers for 2026.
