The Formula 1 world held its breath as rumours surrounding Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull Racing grew louder. The four-time world champion, who has been the team’s star driver since 2016, faced a crucial choice: stay with Red Bull, where he has enjoyed unparalleled success, or move to Mercedes, who promise him a new challenge and potentially a more powerful car for 2026. After months of speculation, Verstappen has finally made his decision official: he will stay with Red Bull until at least the end of his contract in 2028. The decision, announced after the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, puts to rest rumours of a move to Mercedes but raises questions about Red Bull’s future in a competitive field.
Verstappen’s decision comes after a turbulent start to the 2025 season. Despite a win in Japan, he only finished sixth in Bahrain, where the RB21 struggled with grip and braking issues. This fueled speculation about his discontent, particularly after the departures of key figures such as Adrian Newey to Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to Audi. His manager, Raymond Vermeulen, was seen in a heated exchange with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko in Bahrain, fuelling rumours of a potential exit. Moreover, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has openly flirted with Verstappen, particularly since Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari freed up a seat. Wolff saw Verstappen as an ideal successor, particularly for the new 2026 regulations, where Mercedes’ engine development appears to have a head start.
Still, Verstappen chose to remain loyal to Red Bull. In a press conference in Melbourne, he said: “I am happy at Red Bull. We have challenges, but I believe in this team and our plans for the future.” He pointed to the long partnership that has brought him four titles and stressed that the RB21, despite its flaws, has potential for improvement. Team boss Christian Horner confirmed this confidence, stating that Verstappen’s contract contains “performance clauses” but that the team is determined to deliver a winning car. Horner denied a crisis and pointed to Verstappen’s involvement in the development of Red Bull’s own engine for 2026, in collaboration with Ford. “Max is our leader, and we build around him,” Horner said.
The Mercedes rumours weren’t unfounded. Reports suggested that Verstappen and his team were closely monitoring Mercedes’ 2025 chassis to assess how competitive they would be under the new 2026 rules. A move seemed appealing, especially with George Russell’s contract expiring at the end of 2025 and Andrea Kimi Antonelli still being inexperienced. Ralf Schumacher even predicted that Verstappen would leave if Red Bull didn’t improve its performance within four races. However, Verstappen’s camp seems confident that Red Bull has the resources to fight back despite the loss of Newey. Posts on X have reflected mixed reactions, with some fans applauding his loyalty, while others fear he is missing out on an opportunity at a more powerful car.
The decision has wider implications. For Red Bull, it is a chance to show stability after a turbulent year. The team has promoted Liam Lawson as Verstappen’s teammate, a gamble Horner defends despite Lawson’s limited experience. For Mercedes, it means Wolff must set his sights on keeping Russell or accelerating Antonelli’s development. Aston Martin, which reportedly made a $300 million offer to reunite Verstappen with Newey and Honda, is left empty-handed. Verstappen himself remains focused on the present, aiming for a fifth consecutive title in 2025, a feat only matched by Michael Schumacher.
Verstappen’s decision to stay with Red Bull is a vote of confidence, but no guarantee of success. Formula 1 is unpredictable, and with McLaren and Ferrari on the rise, Verstappen will have all eyes on him as he continues his quest for a fifth title. His decision underlines his commitment to Red Bull, but the road to 2026 will not be easy.
