Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has officially shut down ongoing rumours surrounding his potential exit from Red Bull Racing. Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen confirmed his commitment to the team despite recent speculation sparked by the departure of former Team Principal Christian Horner.
Following Horner’s exit, the F1 paddock had been buzzing with speculation linking Verstappen to Mercedes, with reports suggesting ongoing discussions between Verstappen and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff. However, those rumours have been quashed after Wolff publicly reaffirmed his desire to continue with the current Mercedes driver lineup of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli beyond the 2024 season.
Speaking to F1.com, Verstappen addressed the mounting speculation:
“The thing is, people are waffling so much throughout the whole season, while the only one that actually can or should speak is not speaking — that’s me. And I do that on purpose, because it makes no sense to start throwing things around.
Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama. But for me, it’s always been quite clear — also for next year.”
The reigning champion emphasized his long-term vision with Red Bull:
“I’m already discussing with the team the plans and things we want to change for next year. That means I’m staying with the team for 2025.
And if my boat is next to Toto’s, then the boat is next to Toto’s. You can have a personal relationship with someone even if you don’t have a working relationship with them.”
Verstappen concluded, saying:
“I think it’s time to stop all the rumours. For me, it’s always been quite clear that I was staying anyway.”
Despite a challenging 2024 season—both with car performance and team transitions—Verstappen spoke positively about his relationship with new Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies, who took over earlier this year:
“He’s very friendly, very open, very motivated, very driven — and that’s exactly what you want to see from a boss.
It’s a nice atmosphere that he’s creating, and I’m very excited about what we can do together in the future.
Of course, this year it’s difficult to have much influence on the car, especially jumping in mid-season. But looking ahead, he’ll have more say and control, and he’s already asking the right questions and sharing great ideas. I like that.”
Verstappen’s Future at Red Bull Confirmed
With Max Verstappen’s future now confirmed at Red Bull, attention shifts to how the team will adapt under Mekies’ leadership and whether they can reclaim dominance heading into the F1 2025 season. While this year hasn’t lived up to Red Bull’s previous standards, Verstappen’s loyalty and belief in the team’s vision remain unwavering.