Verstappen explains how the upcoming races are 'very important' for his future at Red Bull

For now, the Dutchman intends to compete for the Red Bull Racing team again next season, but there has been plenty of talk in the last year or two about potentially moving on from them.

There have been many rumours from several former drivers that believe Verstappen will be on the move after the 2025 season, with Mercedes being the rumoured move for the 27-year-old, with team principal and CEO Toto Wolff continuously talking about his admiration for him.

At the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked by De Telegraaf if he could say with 100 per cent certainty that he would drive for Red Bull next season.

"That has always been my message to the team," replied the Dutchman. "That's the plan. Unless something very strange happens. But [leaving] is not my intention at this moment.”

According to the reigning Formula 1 world champion, the upcoming races are important, also with an eye on his future at Red Bull.

Verstappen was then asked why his answer was not a firm ‘yes’: “Because I first want to see how the rest of the season, or at least part of it, unfolds, and that significant, decent steps can be made by the team.

"The upcoming races are very important. Yes, also for my future. I'm not talking just about next year, but in general. I think everyone on the team realises that,” explained the Red Bull driver at Imola.