Max Verstappen has responded to speculation about his future following a recent interview with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who hinted at uncertainty beyond 2025. The comments came after Marko was asked whether Verstappen would still be with Red Bull in 2026, to which he replied: “Next year he will drive for Red Bull Racing.” But when pressed further about 2026, Marko deflected, saying: “Mah … It’s so far away. Now our full focus is on the 2024 championship.”

The ambiguous answer stirred further rumors about Verstappen’s long-term future, especially with Mercedes seen as a potential destination after the new F1 regulations are introduced in 2026.
In response to the speculation, Verstappen made his position clear: “I’m fully committed to Red Bull, and I’ve always said my focus is on winning with them. Speculation is part of the sport, but my contract runs until 2028, and I’m not thinking about anything beyond that at the moment.”

Despite Red Buil’s slight dip in performance this year, Verstappen has reaffirmed his loyalty, though whispers about his next move are unlikely to subside until the team can reassert their dominance on the grid. The possibility of a new power dynamic in 2026, especially with Mercedes rumored to have a game changing engine, continues to fuel talk of a potential shift in the F1 landscape.