Max Verstappen has dispelled the notion that mounting concern over Red Bull’s prospects under Formula 1‘s new rules in 2026 has triggered his talks with Mercedes.
Verstappen’s name has garnered increased attention since George Russell revealed that his entourage is engaged in rekindled discussions with Mercedes last month.
But although he was tight-lipped when pressed on the situation at Silverstone, the Dutchman didn’t provide an assurance that he will continue at Red Bull next season.
There have been theories that Verstappen’s possible Red Bull departure is tied to doubts about how competitive the team will be once the regulations change in 2026.
That admission has coincided with continued whispers within the paddock that Mercedes, like in 2014, is the most advanced with its development on the engine side.
Verstappen, however, has denied that has taken precedence in his mind when it comes to contemplating whether he will remain at Red Bull or depart to pastures new.
“There is no decision at the moment,” Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week. “For me, it’s not about ‘26 or whatever.
“I just focus on what I have ahead of me, work with the team. Of course, a lot of people make up assumptions, but that’s not me.”
Verstappen has highlighted that there is no guarantee that the suspicions doing the rounds will prove to be correct once the next-generation cars hit the track in 2026.
“I think no one can say 100 per cent sure that they will be fully comfortable next year,” he assessed.
“There will be so many unknowns anyway for next year. The only thing that I have to do is drive whatever I have, fast.”
Verstappen certain Red Bull can be in 2026 title hunt
Meanwhile, the reigning F1 champion has dismissed that Red Bull’s recent struggles are a sign that the team isn’t well-placed to return to title contention next season.
“I think it’s also, when you look at the previous regulations, I think no one would have expected McLaren to suddenly do that,” he emphasised.
“Sometimes, yeah, it takes a bit of time to get everything together. I think now it was the opposite for us.
“We had everything really well from the start of the new regulations, and then towards the end it was a bit of a struggle for us.
“That is something that we have to figure out why. Why we didn’t hit the same kind of progression as maybe some other teams.
“But then again, 2026 is completely different. It’s something completely different that you need from a car.
“Because the previous generation of cars, we had the opposite. We were off in the beginning, and then towards the end we actually made it work.
“So sometimes it’s also a bit difficult to explain everything, why or how things are so good or so average.”
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