Speculation of Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull will go back on hold for another year. Chatter has persisted about the four-time Formula One champion leaving Red Bull amid interest from Mercedes. Although Verstappen is under contract through 2028,

Red Bull's Max Verstappen will not be able to trigger the performance clause in his contract with the team as he heads into the F1 summer break within the top three of the championship

After all the noise of a move to Mercedes, Max Verstappen will remain a Red Bull driver for F1 2026, at least according to Helmut Marko.