File photo of Max Verstappen© AFP
Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen says he is staying with the Red Bull team next year, ending months of speculation over his future. “Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama. But, for me, it’s always been quite clear, and also for next year,” the four-time champion said Thursday ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. “I’m discussing with the team already the plans — the things that we want to change for next year, so that means that I’m also staying with the team for next year.”
Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull through 2028. At recent races he had deflected questions about whether he’d stay with the team next year, and there had been indications that a performance-related clause could allow him to exit the contract early. The details of any clause are not public.
Mercedes driver George Russell had said he believed his team was holding talks with Verstappen, and speculation was further fuelled by reports that Verstappen and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s yachts were off the Italian island of Sardinia at the same time.
“If my boat is next to Toto’s, then the boat is next to Toto’s,” Verstappen said Thursday. “You can have a personal relationship with someone even if you don’t have a working relationship with someone.”
Verstappen’s comments come less than a month after Christian Horner was removed from his role as Red Bull team principal after 20 years and replaced by Laurent Mekies.
Verstappen is heading into his 200th career race for Red Bull on Sunday but it’s not the first time the Dutch driver’s future with the team has appeared uncertain. Last season, he confirmed his commitment to Red Bull in June after suggestions Mercedes could sign him to replace Lewis Hamilton, who was leaving for Ferrari at the time.
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