SILVERSTONE, England — Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said four-time reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen intends to stay with the team next year despite speculation about a move to Mercedes that would shake up the international open-wheel series.
The champ has repeatedly declined to say he’s committed to Red Bull for 2026 after a suggestion last week from Mercedes driver George Russell that his team spoke with Verstappen. Russell doesn’t have a contract for 2026.
Verstappen has a contract through 2028 at Red Bull, but there have been indications that a performance-related clause could allow the 27-year-old Dutchman to exit earlier. The exact details are not public.
“The contracts between the drivers and the teams are always going to remain confidential. With any driver’s contract, there is an element of a performance mechanism, and of course that exists within Max’s contract,” Horner said Friday at the Silverstone Circuit, which hosts the British Grand Prix on Sunday. “His intention is that he will be there and driving for us in 2026. It’s inevitable that he’s of huge interest to any other other team in the pit lane.”
Horner suggested Russell “probably triggered all this speculation” to strengthen his hand in talks with Mercedes.