Max Verstappen has given his strongest hint yet that he will continue at Red Bull for F1 2025, despite rumours of a move to Mercedes, declaring the company is no longer “afraid” of him leaving.
Verstappen has established himself as the dominant force in the current F1 era, winning the last three World Championships and cementing his place among the sport’s finest drivers.
Will Max Verstappen stay at Red Bull?
Although his current contract does not expire until the end of 2028, Verstappen has been linked with a transfer away from Red Bull in recent weeks, following the saga involving team head Christian Horner.
Verstappen’s father, Jos, asked for Horner to go following the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, accusing the long-serving team boss of “playing the victim when he is the one causing the problems” after an investigation into Horner’s conduct was dropped.
Amidst speculation that Verstappen will quit Red Bull to succeed Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, Horner stated a week later in Saudi Arabia that “nobody is bigger than the team.”
Verstappen told Dutch tabloid AD that he is now committed to staying at Red Bull, claiming that the uncertainty around his future has dissipated – and that he is willing to personally reassure frightened Red Bull team mates that he is not leaving.
When asked if anyone at Red Bull is concerned about his impending exit, he said, “I don’t think anyone is right now.
“How about two weeks ago?” Mwah, that may be.
“But some individuals read a lot, while I don’t. And, in general, I believe that helps.
“That’s what I try to advise people, that they should avoid reading some things for a time.
“And if there are any questions, anyone in the team can always call me.”
Verstappen’s remarks come amid rising speculation about the future of long-time Red Bull design mastermind Adrian Newey, who was reportedly offered a lucrative contract to join Aston Martin during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this month.
Verstappen, whose chief mechanic has departed Red Bull ahead of next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, has emphasized the importance of the team retaining its most key members, saying: “Of course, it’s always about being able to keep the right people for as long as possible.
That’s a constant battle because, of course, other teams want to pull that, as is natural. That occurs to the other great teams as well.”
When asked if he personally plays a part in convincing Red Bull personnel to stay with the team, he said, “That should come very naturally.
“Ultimately, you should not try to keep someone if they don’t want to be there.
“That has to be a natural relationship.”
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