Max Verstappen has decided to remain with Red Bull for the 2026 season, with the Dutchman reportedly having an exit clause in his contract if he wanted to leave.
Helmut Marko has confirmed that Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull next season after the Dutchman chose to stick with his long-standing team. The four-time Formula 1 champion attracted attention from Mercedes, but decided against making the switch from Milton Keynes to Brackley in 2026.
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Verstappen feels ‘comfortable’ with Red Bull’s current setup and has been encouraged by his initial work with new team principal Laurent Mekies. The Frenchman took over after Christian Horner was axed after 20 years in charge.
Even had Verstappen wished to depart Red Bull in 2025, any separation would have proved complicated. The current world champion’s release clause would only have been triggered if he sat fourth or below in the drivers’ championship by the summer break, but his performance at Spa-Francorchamps guarantees him third position.
For now, the speculation can be put to rest. In an interview with Sport.de during the Belgian Grand Prix, Helmut Marko confirmed that Max Verstappen is not expected to leave Red Bull before the 2026 season.
“Yes, I can confirm that Max Verstappen will race for Red Bull in 2026,” Marko stated. This confirmation is especially significant for rival teams, particularly Mercedes, who were most frequently linked with a potential move for Verstappen.
With Verstappen no longer an option, it’s expected that George Russell will commit his long-term future to Mercedes. Team principal Toto Wolff had kept the possibility open for Verstappen, but now that this route is closed, contract negotiations with Russell are set to advance.
According to the Daily Mail, after the Belgian Grand Prix, Russell is close to signing a multi-year contract extension valued at £30 million per year. This would make him one of the highest earners in Formula 1, behind only Verstappen and former teammate Lewis Hamilton.
The proposed salary increase appears well deserved. Russell has consistently matched Hamilton’s performance over their three seasons together and has grown into the dependable leader Wolff had hoped for. Whether his current teammate will rise to the same level remains uncertain.
Kimi Antonelli, meanwhile, has had a mixed debut season. The young Italian has failed to score points in six of seven races and is now under growing pressure. His contract expires at the end of the season, and unlike Russell, there’s no indication yet that a renewal is on the horizon.
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