Max Verstappen has ruled out leaving Red Bull in the short term amid interest from Formula 1 rivals Mercedes, citing that he is working with the team on next season.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been open on several occasions that Verstappen represents his leading candidate to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton from 2025.
However, speaking prior to the Austrian Grand Prix, the Dutchman has repeated his previous stance that he is not entertaining proposals from teams outside Red Bull.
Asked whether he could confirm that he will remain with Red Bull in 2025, Verstappen said: “I think I’ve said this before. I mean, naturally, of course, people are talking.
“But it’s most important just that we have a very competitive car for the future.
“At the moment, of course, it’s very tight, but we are working very well as a team to try and improve more.
“And for sure, I said this already with the team, we are working and focusing also on next year to try and be competitive again.”
Asked to provide a concrete answer that he would be driving with Red Bull once again next season, Verstappen replied: “You didn’t get that out of my answer before.”
He added: “OK, yes, but that’s what I said. We’re already also working on next year’s car, you know.
“I think when you’re very focused on that, that means that you’re also driving for the team.”
Verstappen denied that McLaren’s emergence in recent races threatening Red Bull’s long-standing status as the benchmark team could prompt him to look elsewhere.
Instead, the reigning champion reiterated that his attention was fixated on working with his current side to iron out the limitations that have been exposed this season.
“I don’t think that’s how Formula 1 works, where then suddenly you could say, ‘well, bye, guys’. You know, it’s not how it works,” he explained.
“I have a long contract with the team. I’m very happy where I’m at.
“And like I said before, we are focusing also already on next year with things that we can implement on the car. So I guess that should say enough for where I’m driving next year.”
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