Report: Verstappen to remain with Red Bull in 2026

Max Verstappen won't be changing teams for 2026.

The reigning world champion is slated to remain with Red Bull next year despite speculation about a potential move to Mercedes, ESPN's Nate Saunders reports.

Verstappen had an exit clause in his contract that would've allowed him to leave Red Bull if he placed fourth or worse in the drivers' championship heading into the summer break, Saunders adds. However, it's now mathematically impossible for the Dutch driver, who sits third in the standings, to drop to fourth with only the Hungarian Grand Prix remaining before the break.

The four-time world champion has been linked to Mercedes since driver George Russell revealed earlier this season that the team and Verstappen had been in discussions.

Additionally, Verstappen has seen Red Bull lose considerable form over his four consecutive championship seasons. The team's car struggled for much of the second half of 2024 and has been significantly outmatched in 2025 compared to McLaren, which leads the constructors' standings.

Red Bull also dismissed team principal Christian Horner after the British Grand Prix earlier in July. Though the team didn't give a specific reason for his dismissal, Verstappen said he doubted the decision would impact his future.

Verstappen has spent his entire Formula 1 career in Red Bull's system, debuting with junior team Toro Rosso in 2015 before moving to the main team in 2016. He won his first race as a Red Bull driver at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest race winner in F1 history.