Max Verstappen to drive for Red Bull in 2026, no Mercedes

Max Verstappen will not be joining Mercedes, at least not next season. "I can confirm that he will drive for Red Bull in 2026." Helmut Marko, a longtime consultant for the Austrian team and a man very close to Verstappen, has put an end to the transfer rumors surrounding the world champion, confirming to Sky Germany that the four-time world champion will remain at Red Bull.

Verstappen's own prediction after Spa

The driver himself made it clear after Spa that he didn't want to leave: "My goal is to stay at Red Bull," he said. And Toto Wolff also hinted that the champion's arrival at Mercedes—where George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are close to confirming their position—wouldn't be imminent.