Last -minute decision in Formula 1 »The team for which Max Verstappen will compete next season
Article by Darius Stanescu – published Monday, July 28, 2025 22:11 / Updated Monday, July 28, 2025 22:12
consultant Red Bull, Dr. Helmut Marko (82 years old) confirmed that the world champion Max Verstappen (27 years) will remain in the team next year.
After the Belgian great prize, information appeared according to which Max can no longer activate anticipated termination clause of his contract for next year, because it will be the third in the general ranking during the summer break in Formula 1. If Max had remained outside the Top 3 after Hungary, he would have had the opportunity to terminate the contract.
Dr. Helmut Marko announced that Max Verstappen stays at Red Bull
“Yes I can confirm that Max Verstappen will pilot for Red Bull in 2026“, Dr. Marko told Sport.de, quoted by Sportal.bg.
This ends the speculation about Max's immediate future in Formula 1, because Mercedes's interest for him has not disappeared, but will only be postponed to 2027.
Verstappen also has another anticipated release clause in its contract, which is valid until the end of season 2028. According to it, if next summer Max is not in the top 2 of the ranking, it may again terminate the unilateral contract with Red Bull.
Max Verstappen, advanced discussions with Mercedes at the beginning of July
At the beginning of July speculated that Max Verstappen He would have understood with Mercedes, accepting the offer of Toto Wolff, the head of the German team.
Speculation about Verstappen's future had intensified after the Austrian Grand Prize, when George Russell told Sky Sports F1 that he was not offered a new contract with Mercedes after 2025, because there would have been discussions between the team and Vertappen.
Toto Wolff confirmed that “discussions with closed doors” took place. The quoted source said that the negotiations between Mercedes and Verstappen intensified, the Dutch being willing to leave Red Bull. The reason for his departure would have been the monopostens, who are no longer as performing and who are no longer able to compete with McLaren.
