Max Verstappen wants the rumours to end about his Red Bull F1 future for 2026, as George Russell remains calm about his situation amid negotiations.
The Verstappen-to-Mercedes saga is never ending. It takes a back seat for a while, but pops up as soon. It was same this time. The only difference was that it started after a media statement from Mercedes’ Russell, who was casual about the situation that his team had been in talks with the Dutchman.
Verstappen paid little attention to all the news as he reiterated that he is with Red Bull. At the same time, Toto Wolff reiterated that Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli remain his favourites to continue. All this while, a clause story for the Dutchman started to rounds which was due to end in July.
With that clause not invoked seemingly and without even admitting about it, Verstappen wanted to end the rumours about him leaving Red Bull for Mercedes in 2026. But his future beyond it? The Dutchman didn’t wish to give in to that speculation, which will anyhow happen again midway next year.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s quite interesting to follow all that and the amount of nice stories, lets say, that came out of it,” said Verstappen to media. “For me, I’ve never really said anything about it because I was just focused on talking to the team about how we can improve our performance, future ideas for next year as well. And that’s why I have nothing really to add ever.
“But yeah, I think it’s time to basically stop all the rumours. And for me, it’s always been quite clear that I was staying anyway. I think that was also the general feeling in the team anyway, because we were always in discussions about what we could do with the car. I think when you’re not interested in staying, then you also stop talking about these kinds of things. And I never did.
“I don’t know [about future beyond]. If you ask me that question next year, then yes, we will have that speculation. But for me, I never speak about it. I’m more interested in just working on the performance of things. That’s why I also never really talk about what is in my contract,” summed up Verstappen, as his counterpart Russell was slightly philosophical about his situation.
He noted that his and Antonelli’s decision lay in the hands of Mercedes management, who have a longterm deal as the German’s outfits junior drivers. Russell was anxious months back but now not as much. “Not really, no, because they ultimately hold the cards, because of the situation we find ourselves in, with the management agreement,” he said to media.
“So they’ve had no rush to sign Kimi or I, because we’ve got this longer-term overriding deal in place. But the truth is, I’ve never feared losing my seat, and that’s not even been on the table once this year, even though, of course, you guys like to make a big deal out of it. It’s been a long time that… maybe 12 months ago, I was a bit more anxious and wanted to get something sorted or confirmed for ’26.
“Maybe six months ago, I felt the same. But now, I’m performing better than ever. I still feel I’ve got more to give. I’ve waited so long, and now I want to get through this weekend. I want to go on holiday next week and enjoy the break. And there is no time pressure [on] my side, there’s no time pressure from the team’s side. So, whenever we come to an agreement, we’ll get it done, but it’s got to be right both ways.
“It’s something we need to think about [in terms of years]. What is in the interest of both parties, really? What do I want from this, as much as what do Mercedes want? It has been, obviously, a bit of a unique situation we found ourselves in over these last six months. The fact is, from my side, I want to win. That is the only thing I care about more than money, more than [the] number of days of the sponsorship, more than anything.
“I want to win and that, for me, is the most important thing about my future,” summed up Russell, who has made his intentions clear about the negotiations. In talking about if he has a future outside Mercedes, who have supported him all through, the Brit opened up on anxious time in the last six months, when he threw open the Verstappen chatter.
“Let’s say from my whole career until last year, the team have supported me so much and given me such amazing opportunities,” continued Russell. “Our goals have been aligned and what has been in the best interest of the team has also been in the best interest of me. Now, of course, these last six months have been a very unique situation where I don’t have a huge power in that – sort of – agreement.
“Maybe the interests were not aligned for some time, which has put me at risk for these last six months. But then it was my job to perform and reduce that risk. I don’t wish for it to come to anything like that. I still trust Toto and I still trust in the team that they will always support me as long as I’m performing. That’s what I need to focus on. But of course, for both Kimi and I, these past months have not been the most assuring for our future, and that’s just been a bit conflicting.”
Here’s Laurent Mekies on Red Bull role
Here’s last from Max Verstappen, George Russell on the topic
