Verstappen cools exit talk as Red Bull form improves
Verstappen sounds unusually settled about his Red Bull future, even as speculation swirls — but his sharp criticism of F1's 2026 rules, and his hunger to win, haven't softened one bit.
Max Verstappen has struck a noticeably calmer tone about his future as Red Bull begins the Hungarian GP weekend with signs of progress both on and off the track.
After months of speculation about exit clauses, rival teams and growing frustration with Formula 1's 2026 regulations, the four-time world champion insists there is currently no move taking place.
"What I can say is that there is nothing to say because nothing is happening right now," Verstappen said.
"I feel good. And I feel good here."
Red Bull's upward trend
Verstappen described Red Bull as "a second family" and said his attention remains fixed on improving the difficult RB22.
"I'm just trying to understand the car a little better and, of course, get back on the winning track," said the Dutchman. "We want to win races again."
"That is complicated enough because we are still learning the basics of the car. We came close to a Grand Prix victory once in Austria, and Spa-Francorchamps was also a good weekend."
"That needs to happen more often. One weekend is good and the next we run into all kinds of problems," Verstappen said.
However, he believes the trend is finally beginning to improve.
"There is an upward trend. We are getting slightly better and really making steps forward."
"That is nice, but you have to wait and see if other teams come with updates and make a leap."
Verstappen joked that he could repeat last year's pessimistic prediction of no more race wins after Hungary, which preceded six victories after the summer break.
But he does not expect another dramatic recovery this time.
"The situation is very different now. It's incomparable," said the 28-year-old.
Retirement talk dismissed
Verstappen also dismissed suggestions his criticism of the current cars means he is preparing to retire.
"I am 28 and of course I could retire, but I love racing and I try to deal with what we have. Even though that is not what I love at the moment," he said.
Verstappen said Fernando Alonso's age makes the retirement question fundamentally different for the Spaniard. "Fernando is already 45 years old, and it's probably a little easier for him to say, 'I'm leaving.'"
"But for a real racing driver, it's hard. Especially when you don't like the current rules and you can't compete for top positions right now."
Verstappen also believes his outspoken criticism of the regulations is now being understood more clearly.
"It's not fun driving these cars, and it's not fun to keep talking about it. But people ask, and I think they deserve an honest answer."
"I simply say what I think, and when I did that in the first part of the World Championship, people soon said, 'Oh, he's always whining, and only because his car isn't fast, he should just shut up.'"
"But I sense that more and more people are coming to the same conclusion as me."
Red Bull is also preparing to reintroduce its troublesome 'Macarena' rear wing in Hungary after failures sent Verstappen off the circuit in Austria and Britain.
"We assume it's been resolved, but obviously I don't know for sure," Verstappen told Viaplay.
"They've carried out multiple tests and run more simulations. Hopefully, it will now be properly closed. That's the goal."
Max Verstappen: fact box
| F1 debut | 2015, Toro Rosso |
|---|---|
| Current team | Red Bull Racing (since 2016) |
| World championships | 4 (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) |
| Born | 30 September 1997, Hasselt, Belgium |
See also: Max Verstappen driver hub on F1-Fansite.
Related: Red Bull piles pressure on Verstappen over his future
