Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until the 2028 Formula 1 season. Nevertheless, given the power struggle within the Bulls in recent months, rumors have not stopped that Verstappen could leave the team early and possibly move to Mercedes. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has made several public advances to the three-time Formula 1 world champion.
Most recently, Wolff renewed these attempts at the Spanish Grand Prix, fuelling speculation again. But Verstappen made it clear before the Austrian GP: he is firmly committed to Red Bull for 2025. The Dutchman answered a corresponding question in the press conference before the weekend in Spielberg in the affirmative and added: “We are already working on the car for next year and I am very focused on it. Of course, you are only that if you are also driving for the team that year.”
Max Verstappen: Full focus on 2025 – with Red Bull
Verstappen has defused rumors about a possible departure several times in recent months, but he has not been so clear yet. He dismissed the reports about a potential exit from Red Bull as talk that he does not attach any importance to: “People always talk, of course. But at the moment it is much more important that we get a competitive car in the future.”
To avoid misunderstandings, however, he later clarified that this should not be understood as a condition for the performance of his car: “Formula 1 does not work like that, where you can suddenly say: Goodbye, guys! I have a long contract with the team and I am very happy with where I am,” said Verstappen.
Wolff was not the only one responsible for the rumours about a possible departure of Verstappen. The reports were fuelled by the scandal surrounding team boss Christian Horner at the start of the season. The father of the reigning F1 champion, Jos Verstappen, clearly positioned himself against Horner and Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko, who has a good relationship with Verstappen, also took the opposite side to Horner.
In the meantime, a kind of truce has been declared within the team to avoid damaging itself in the fight for the world championship. Given the increased competition in recent weeks, the fight for the Formula 1 World Championship will not be a sure thing for Red Bull in 2024 or 2025 – even with Verstappen.