Max Verstappen on Tuesday declared that he has no plans of leaving Red Bull, at least until 2028, dashing the hopes of rivals Mercedes and team principal Toto Wolff, who has been chasing the four-time world champion’s signature since Lewis Hamilton left the Silver Arrows in 2024.
Verstappen and Red Bull are synonymous with each other after nearly a decade together. However, speculation about his future was at its peak in the middle of the 2025 season, mostly due to infighting at Red Bull and poor results in the first half. Verstappen had met Wolff, who wasn’t coy in saying that he wanted the Dutchman to lead a new era of Mercedes alongside George Russell.
“I’m 28 now, and I have a contract with Red Bull until 2028. I want to fulfil that contract.
At this point in time, I’m ruling out a change of team. It’s a shame that my friend and mentor Helmut Marko won’t be by my side in 2026. I’ll miss him,” Verstappen said.
Verstappen doesn’t want a repeat of 2025 in 2026 but accepted that the uncertainty would be higher with several changes brought on by F1, including a switch to lighter cars, electric power (50/50 split with ICE), and sustainable fuels, while also replacing DRS with ‘Overtake Mode’ and ‘Active Aero’ for wing adjustments.
“None of us have any idea about the new car or the engine. I think that during the first tests in Barcelona starting on 26 January, we’ll be spending more time in the garages than out on the track. Hopefully, we’ll all be a bit wiser after the two tests in Bahrain in February,” he said.
Verstappen accepts Schumacher comparisons
Verstappen, who is just 21 wins and 29 podiums away from usurping the legendary Michael Schumacher’s record, accepted the comparisons with the German but suggested that seven titles weren’t part of his aims.
“Yes, on the track and in my private life. But after more than 230 races, my goal is definitely not to chase seven world championship titles. For me, there is nothing more important than my family and my children. They are the motivation that you can only get within your own four walls.”
