Formula 1 future
Verstappen makes a decision about his racing team
Updated on July 29, 2025 – 8:17 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
The future of Max Verstappen was recently the subject of discussions. Now it is clear which racing team the world champion is running in 2026.
It was speculated for a long time, now there is certainty: Max Verstappen will also start Red Bull in Formula 1 in the coming season. This was announced by the motorsport consultant of the Austrian racing team, Helmut Marko, compared to RTL/n-tv and “Sport.de”. “Yes, I can confirm that Max Verstappen drives for Red Bull in 2026,” said the 82-year-old.
Previously, the Dutch newspaper “de Telegraaf” had already reported that a change for four times the world champion was off the table after this season. A commitment to the Mercedes factory team had been speculated intensively in recent months. But this will not happen for the time being.
Verstappen at Red Bull has a contract until the end of 2028. However, possible exit clauses have been reported several times. According to “de Telegraaf” there was also such a clause – but it could no longer apply.
It is not going well for Verstappen this season. Because the 27-year-old has currently lost connection to the top. The McLaren pilots Oscar Piatri and Lando Norris have already hurried in the overall ranking and will probably make up the World Cup title this year.