Source:REUTERS/Yves Herman
[Saba Sports News] Amid rumors that Max Verstappen might move to Mercedes, Red Bull’s senior advisor Helmut Marko finally spoke out. He confirmed to German media that the four-time F1 champion will remain with Red Bull through 2026. With major engine and chassis changes coming to F1 in 2026, speculation about Verstappen’s future has finally received an official response. This statement was also confirmed by several reputable journalists at the Belgium Grand Prix, meaning that the possibility of Verstappen leaving in the near future has been completely ruled out. However, this does not mean Red Bull can rest easy. Former team principal Christian Horner had pointed out before leaving that Verstappen’s real decision period will come in 2027. In 2026, F1 rules will undergo the most significant changes in decades, with smaller and more efficient engines paired with a large amount of electric power, completely reshaping the technical landscape. In our opinion, even though Verstappen intends to end his career at Red Bull, whether or not he actually stays depends on whether Red Bull can maintain its competitiveness in the new rule era.