Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has insisted Max Verstappen will remain with the team in Formula 1 in 2026, despite recent rumours linking him with Aston Martin or Mercedes.
Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull through 2028 and won his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship with the side last season with two rounds remaining.
However, the turbulence that overshadowed Verstappen’s dominant start to the season prompted speculation that he could be persuaded to leave Red Bull for a rival team.
An investigation into Christian Horner’s conduct dominated the headlines instead, with Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, insisting the long-time Red Bull boss must step down.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff strived to capitalise on the upheaval with repeated vows about his interest in Verstappen amid Lewis Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari.
Wolff revealed that talks with Verstappen’s camp had concluded with an agreement that he would be at Red Bull in 2025, but he issued his belief that their “paths will cross”.
Marko, though, is optimistic that Red Bull will overcome the issues that blighted its on-track competitiveness in 2024 to ensure the Dutchman has no reason to look elsewhere.
“I don’t comment on the content of the contract, but in any case, we are confident that we can provide Max with a good car,” Marko told Sport Bild.
“Our engineers have made good progress with the data. We are optimistic.”
When asked about Mercedes courting Verstappen, the Austrian added: “That’s all well and good, but Max has a contract with us until the end of 2028.
“Especially because I know how loyal and grateful he is to Red Bull.
That is why he will also be a Red Bull driver in 2026, and as a five-time World Champion.”
How F1’s reset will have a bearing on Verstappen’s plans
Marko’s latest dismissal towards a possible Verstappen exit comes amid a report that he harbours a desire to be with a Mercedes-powered team for the rules change in 2026.
The overhaul will see wholesale tweaks to the chassis and engine regulations, with the latter to comprise an almost 50/50 split between combustion and electrical power.
There have been whispers that Mercedes has stolen a march on the competition with work on the next-generation powertrains, which will also be run on sustainable fuels.
It has been reported that senior Mercedes personnel retain the “same feeling” about the venture as it did in the lead-up to the 2014 reset that culminated in eight straight titles.
Meanwhile, there is scepticism surrounding Red Bull’s prospects with the nascent engine build that it is developing in collaboration with American giant Ford.
According to Motorsport.com’s Italian publication, Verstappen believes the German marque will once again have the benchmark engine package next season.
The report proceeds to state that the reigning champion is “keen” to have Mercedes power at his disposal in 2026 as he strives to sustain his recent F1 success.
McLaren proved that it could beat the works team last season with the same engine as it won the Constructors’ Championship, while Mercedes slipped two spots to fourth.
However, the Woking-based squad has Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked down, which is also the case at Mercedes customer teams Aston Martin and Williams.
Mercedes is poised to be Verstappen’s sole chance at getting his purported wish, with the incumbent George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli not tied to deals past 2025.
Verstappen to Aston Martin speculation
But even Verstappen continuing with Red Bull in 2026 will not end speculation about his whereabouts as Aston Martin has been said to be interested in his coveted services.
The Silverstone-based squad could have an opening in 2027 as Fernando Alonso, who turns 44 in July, has indicated that he is treating next season as his last in the sport.
Aston Martin denied a recent report that alleged it was telling prospective sponsors that it was going to land Verstappen in a deal that could total an eventual £1 billion.
Still, Horner admitted last season that Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull does include exit clauses that are related to how competitive a car that it provides him with.
Red Bull is endeavouring to reclaim its position at the top during the last season with the current cars, having dropped behind McLaren and Ferrari to third in 2024.
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