Max Verstappen has faced fresh questions about his Red Bull future beyond the end of this season but said he is staying for 2025.
Despite being on a contract that runs to the end of 2028, Verstappen’s future at the team has been subject of on-off speculation all season following tension at the team at the start of the year following the investigation into Christian Horner and public interest from Mercedes as they search for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton.
In the latest show of interest from Red Bull’s rivals, Mercedes chairman Ola Kallenius told Sky Germany at last week’s Spanish GP that Verstappen “would look good in silver”, although team boss and co-owner Toto Wolff subsequently said there were not any ongoing talks with the triple world champion.
Horner has repeatedly said that there was no doubt Verstappen would remain with Red Bull but, with the rumours about 2025 never having completely gone away, Verstappen was quizzed about his plains again when he appeared in front of the media in Thursday’s drivers’ press conference ahead of this weekend’s Austrian GP.
“I think I’ve said this before. Naturally, of course, people are talking but it’s most important just that we just have a very competitive car for the future,” said Verstappen, who is leading this year’s world championship by 69 points.
“At the moment, of course, it is very tight but we are working very well as a team to try and improve more.
“For sure, I said this already with the team, we are working and focusing also on next year to try and be competitive again.
Asked if that meant that if his Red Bull car was not fastest by the end of the year, he would leave: “I don’t think that’s how Formula 1 works where then suddenly you could say ‘well, bye guys!”
“It’s not how it works.
“I’ve got a long contract with the team, I’m very happy where I’m at and, like I said before, we are focusing already on next year with things that we can implement on the car. So, I guess that should say enough of where I’m driving next year.”
Verstappen was then later asked to give a direct ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer over whether he would still be at Red Bull in 2025.
“You didn’t get that out of my answer before?” he replied, with a smile.
“I mean, ok, yes.
“But that’s what I said, we are already also working on next year’s car. I think when you are very focused on that that means you are also driving for the team.”
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Austrian GP schedule
Thursday June 27
12.30pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
Friday June 28
7.50am: F3 Practice
9am: F2 Practice
11am: Austrian GP Practice One (session starts at 11.30am)
12.55pm: F3 Qualifying
1.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3pm: Austrian GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 3.30pm)*
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments throughout the years at the Austrian Grand Prix
Saturday June 29
8.25am: F3 Sprint
10am: Austrian GP Sprint (race starts at 11am)*
12.25pm: F2 Sprint
2pm: Austrian GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Austrian GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday June 30
7.25am: F3 Feature Race
8.55am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Austrian GP build-up*
2pm: The AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Austrian GP reaction*
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
F1’s triple-header continues at the Austrian Grand Prix this coming week – with the Sprint format returning at the Red Bull Ring. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s big race at 2pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
