Max Verstappen is defiant that his Formula 1 future remains with Red Bull amid growing rumours that Adrian Newey’s departure could prompt him to leave the team.
Despite being contracted through 2028 and on course for a fourth consecutive title this campaign, Verstappen has continued to be linked with a move from Red Bull.
An ensuing power struggle within the team since a probe into team boss Christian Horner’s behaviour has seen Max’s father, Jos, claim that Red Bull could “explode”.
The announcement that Newey, who has designed the cars responsible for Verstappen’s 58 wins, is leaving in 2025 has accentuated reports the Dutchman could exit.
But speaking to media including Motorsport Week, Verstappen clarified that his “future is within Red Bull at the moment” amid speculation linking him with Mercedes.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has gone public with his desire to replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton with Verstappen alongside George Russell next term.
Reports had emerged earlier in the week that the Verstappen camp was due to meet Mercedes this month with a potential €150 million contract proposal on the table.
“But at the end of the day, even if, let’s say, that would be the case, 150 million, money is not going to be the differentiator for me to go somewhere,” Verstappen retorted.
He added: “I’m happy with what I’m earning. It’s about performance, because I know myself, if I would be driving for P5 or P6 you get quite grumpy with yourself.
“It’s always about performance at the end of the day. Everyone knows that. Toto also knows that.”
Wolff said in China last month that Mercedes could entice Verstappen to move from Red Bull despite the German marque’s ongoing struggles through “other factors”.
Asked whether he found it “strange” that Wolff said he was waiting for Verstappen’s decision, the reigning champion replied: “No, because I think everyone should always be optimistic and hopeful in things, but at the moment, I can say that I want to stay with the team because I believe in the project that we have, with everyone involved.
“But at the end of the day, in sports, but also in life, you don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.”
It is believed that one element that Wolff was alluding to was the all-new technical regulations in 2025, which will provide Mercedes with a chance to return to the top.
However, Verstappen argues that it is too premature to estimate who will be competitive under the next ruleset as Red Bull gears towards building its own powertrain.
“Who knows who is going to be the most competitive in ’26. I don’t know at the moment,” Verstappen highlighted.
Verstappen also denied that the impending rules change was complicating his decision, citing that “this is also something I’m not thinking about too much at the moment”.
“There’s so much going on this year with the performance that I want to do well next year as well, where I think we still have a great chance of doing well,” he continued.
“So ’26 in that sense is quite far away.
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