Overview

• Verstappen confirmed that he will stay with Red Bull Racing for 2026 under a contract extending through 2028 with no active exit clause.
• The declaration ends months of speculation driven by rumored performance-based exit clauses and reported Mercedes approaches to his entourage.
• Christian Horner’s early-July removal as team principal and the elevation of Laurent Mekies have reshaped Red Bull’s leadership structure.
• Verstappen acknowledged that McLaren’s dominance in 2025 makes a title bid unlikely but provides crucial data ahead of the 2026 technical regulations overhaul.
• With Verstappen secured, Mercedes must now decide whether to renew George Russell’s deal and determine rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s future.