Max Verstappen has confirmed he will remain a Red Bull driver for the F1 2026 season, putting an end to speculation about a potential move to Mercedes.
Why it matters
With new regulations set to transform Formula 1 in 2026, Verstappen's commitment signals Red Bull's intent to be a front-runner from the outset. The team is also developing its own engine for the first time in partnership with Ford, making their 2026 performance a major unknown.
The details
Verstappen's confirmation came ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he addressed ongoing rumors.
- "I've never really said anything about it because I was just focused on talking to the team about how we can improve our performance, future ideas for next year as well," Verstappen stated.
- He added, "I think it's time to basically stop all the rumours and, for me, it's always been quite clear that I was staying anyway."
The big picture
F1 2026 will introduce significant changes, including smaller, 30kg lighter cars, active aerodynamics replacing DRS, narrower Pirelli tires, and new power units. These engines will feature a 50/50 split between electrical and internal combustion power, running on fully sustainable biofuels.
Red Bull's performance in the current ground effect era has seen a recent dip after a period of dominance, with McLaren emerging as a strong competitor in 2024. Verstappen acknowledges a