Speculations about Verstappen's future almost over - for a few months....

12:09, 28 Jul

Updated: 12:11, 28 Jul

byLudo van Denderen

It was a clever headline from a Dutch newspaper, a few hours after Max Verstappen secured fourth place in the Belgian Grand Prix: 'All speculations can be thrown in the bin, Verstappen also drives for Red Bull in 2026'.

But anyone who read further than the headline would have noticed that the essence of the story was that Max Verstappen, after the race in Spa, can no longer drop to fourth place in the championship before the summer break and therefore can't make use of an exit clause in his contract. The conclusion? Max Verstappen remains with the Austrian racing stable in '26.

Verstappen will undoubtedly stay with Red Bull

Admittedly, the simple calculation that the newspaper made likely generated many clicks. But was it all premature? A tiny bit, but certainly not entirely.

In the recent days, it has become clear to GPblog that there is a completely different dynamic and atmosphere within the Austrians after Christian Horner's departure from Red Bull Racing - one in which Max Verstappen feels comfortable.

Those who listened carefully would have heard that it was almost certain that the four-time world champion Red Bull would remain loyal in '26.

After the Hungarian Grand Prix and before the next race in the Netherlands, an 'official' announcement would be made. What's more, what better place to make the announcement than in Zandvoort?

Red Bull Contentpool

What will Mercedes do?

Mercedes now also clearly realizes that Max Verstappen will not join them after the current season. The Germans will certainly take the coming weeks to extend the expiring contracts of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The interesting question is, for how long that will happen.

The speculations for 2026 can soon stop definitively, but chances are that they will return in a few months. With the introduction of the new technical regulations, it is possible that the balance of power in Formula 1 will change.

If Red Bull Racing in '26 is one of the top teams and competes for the world title, it is easy to imagine that speculations about '27 can also be quickly nipped in the bud. If Red Bull is not competitive enough and for example Mercedes is, then the German racing stable could again become an option.

At Mercedes, they are definitely keeping their eyes and ears open. Max Verstappen will not come in '26, but '27? Toto Wolff has also heard that his team could then (again) be an option for the reigning champion.