Mattia Binotto: Audi F1 not negotiating with Max Verstappen, team 'not yet ready'

Audi F1 team principal Mattia Binotto has firmly ruled out any negotiations with Max Verstappen, insisting the team is “not yet ready” to provide the four-time world champion with a platform to fight for victories. Speaking on F1's Beyond the Grid podcast, Binotto confirmed that Audi's current drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg are under “long-term contracts.”

Why it matters:

Verstappen’s future at Red Bull is increasingly uncertain after a difficult start to the 2026 season—he scored his first podium only at the Canadian Grand Prix, the fifth round. He currently sits seventh in the standings, 45 points behind Mercedes’ George Russell. A potential exit clause in his Red Bull contract could allow him to leave if he is lower than second in the championship by the summer break, fueling speculation about a move to Mercedes or Audi.

The details:

• Binotto said: “If Max would join, you need to offer him a platform which is a proper platform where he can fight for victories. We are not yet ready for it as a team.”
• Verstappen’s father Jos was spotted talking to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff in Canada, though Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies downplayed the meeting, noting Max had raced a Mercedes GT3 car the previous week.
• Mercedes has dominated 2026, winning all five races so far, and Wolff has previously called rumors of re-signing Verstappen “stupid,” saying he is happy with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
• Russell's contract is a one-plus-one deal, with performance metrics for an automatic extension to 2027; he says he will “very likely” hit those targets.

What's next:

Verstappen has warned he may reconsider his F1 future if proposed 2027 engine regulation refinements are not implemented. Mercedes remains the strongest team, while Audi is building for the long term. The summer break—coming after six more races—will be a critical deadline for Verstappen’s decision.