Overview
- Max Verstappen has dismissed rumors of leaving Red Bull, emphasizing his focus on improving the car and remaining 'very relaxed' despite recent struggles.
- Christian Horner has confirmed that Verstappen will remain with Red Bull in 2026, calling exit rumors 'noise' and highlighting the team's commitment to addressing performance issues.
- Helmut Marko previously expressed concerns about Verstappen's future, citing a performance-related exit clause in his contract after a disappointing sixth-place finish in Bahrain.
- Red Bull is implementing a series of technical upgrades to resolve performance gaps, including issues with brake reliability and wind tunnel data discrepancies, as McLaren continues to dominate early-season races.
- Speculation linking Verstappen to Mercedes and Aston Martin persists, though Verstappen and Red Bull leadership have downplayed these claims as unfounded.