by Max Verstappen has confirmed for the first time that he will stay with Red Bull – after George Russell admitted that he was about to be about a new Mercedes contract.
Vipens Break-Klausel from his Red Bull Deal can no longer be activated after his fourth end in Belgium last Sunday during the summer break, which follows the Hungarian Grand Prix of the weekend, will not be lower than third place in the World Cup.
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When asked about the Hungaroring, whether he can say with certainty that he will be at Red Bull in 2026, Verstapped: “Yes. I never really said anything about it because I only concentrated on talking to the team about improving our performance, our future ideas and the next year, and that’s why I really had nothing to expand.
“But I think it’s time to stop all the rumors. For me it was always very clear that I stayed anyway and that was the general feeling in the team because we always discussed what we could do by car, and if you are not interested in staying, you stop talking about such things, and I never did it.”
Max Verstappen has ended rumors about his future (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Until Thursday, Verstappen, the third in the World Cup and 81 points from the title pace, did not grant that he would go beyond Red Bull this year, even though he had a contract for another three and a half years.
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His announcement here comes 23 days after Christian Horner found that he was replaced by Red Bull Team as director and CEO.
Verstappen’s father Jos in the Red Bull Hospitality Suite on Thursday, when his son ended speculation about his future for 2026, claimed at the beginning of last year if Horner remained.
Verstappen added Sky Sports: “Some people just like to stir the pot and some people like to create a drama, but for me (the future) it was always clear.”
Christian Horner left his position as Red Bull Team Director at the beginning of this month (David Davies/Pa)
Mercedes has made little secret of her wish to sign the four -time world champion. It looks like it is Russell – which despite a number of impressive achievements this year – is without a deal for 2026.
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In front of Verstappen, Russell, which it is understood, received a contract offer from Mercedes last week: “The talks have started. We are now going into the summer break.
“I spoke a lot this week with (Mercedes CEO and Team Principal) Toto (Wolff), but we have not even talked about the contract because we both try to solve the performance and bring the team to the right place. And that’s real.
“I want to go into the summer break and enjoy the only two weeks I have in the year. I don’t want to think about contracts.
“And there is no great time pressure on my side or from Mercedes’ page because the Verstappen situation remains in Red Bull.
George Russell will sign a new deal at Mercedes (Bradley Collyer/PA)
“Not that I was ever concerned about it, but from the team’s perspective I think that this has an impact.
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“From my side I was never worried that I would lose my seat. I want to go this weekend and try to get the team back on the track and perform better in the last six races.
Then Russell, 27, became the next season to Mercedes, but now it’s just a question of what his contract looks like. He replied: “Yes, I think so.”
Despite the continued speculation on proposals that Verstappen could act against Mercedes, those who deal near the Russell camp near the 27-year-old near the Russell camp have extremely confident that they would be extended to extend a contract.
Russell scored 157 points for rookie teammate Kimi Antonellis 63 after 13 of the 24 rounds. Mercedes are third in the constructors rating, 296 points from McLaren.
