Max Verstappen Affirms Red Bull Racing Loyalty Amid Mercedes Rumors

Last Updated:August 30, 2025, 10:02 IST

Max Verstappen, signed with Red Bull until 2028, denied exit rumors, focusing on performance as he pursues a fifth title behind Piastri and Norris.

Max Verstappen reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull Racing (X)

It was Red Bull Racing all the way along, and no one else for Max Verstappen.

The four-time defending world champion, who is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 F1 season, confirmed that while he had a contractual exit clause tied to his points position, the condition was never triggered.

That clause would have allowed him to walk away at the end of 2025 had he been ranked fourth or lower in the championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix in early August.

“It was very, very simple," the Dutchman told ESPN in an interview.

“I only say what I want to say. And I was never even stressed about it at all because … of course, naturally, you always want to win. But at the same time, you just work on performance. People always come up with stories or ask questions. But for me, it was quite straightforward all the time."

Wolff’s interest and the ‘yacht photos’

Wolff’s public interest in Verstappen even reportedly complicated Mercedes’ contract negotiations with George Russell earlier this year. Matters escalated further when photos circulated on social media of Wolff and Verstappen spending time together on a yacht in Sardinia over the summer.

Verstappen laughed off the gossip.

“There’s no secret," he said. “I mean, I even went for lunch with Toto and the family and I think that’s absolutely allowed. It’s not even that you speak about Formula 1 business, it’s just life. We parked up next to each other because we were in the same bay to sleep and during the day everyone does their thing. But sometimes you meet up and you have a good relationship with people. I think that’s nice, that it’s not only about competition."

Verstappen’s season so far

On track, Verstappen remains in the hunt for a fifth world title, though he currently trails McLaren’s leading duo. Heading into this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, the Red Bull driver sits third in the championship standings with 187 points, behind Oscar Piastri (284) and Lando Norris (275).

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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First Published:

August 30, 2025, 10:02 IST

News sports Max Verstappen Affirms Red Bull Racing Loyalty Amid Mercedes Rumors

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