Max Verstappen has "nothing to say" on his future with Red Bull as McLaren connection grows

The four-time Formula 1 World Champion remains contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but uncertainty over his future has intensified amid the team’s inconsistent performances under the new regulations.

Red Bull has struggled to challenge the frontrunners consistently, while reliability problems and unexpected crashes have further damaged their campaign. Verstappen’s accidents in Austria and Britain were both influenced by rear-wing problems, increasing scrutiny on the team’s ability to provide him with a competitive and dependable car.

Asked about reports suggesting he could leave the Milton Keynes operation, Verstappen said ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix: “There’s nothing to say. I don't want to say yes and no and this and that about my future. I said already many times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”

Rather than discussing his plans, Verstappen focused on the work underway at Red Bull to resolve the problems affecting their current car and improve the team’s longer-term prospects.

The Dutchman returned to the Red Bull factory following his British Grand Prix disappointment, working with engineers to understand what went wrong and prevent similar failures. Verstappen explained: "Now we’re just looking to the future, trying to fix current issues that we have on the car, but that's an open discussion.

“Sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but, for example, after Silverstone, you go home and you reset. On Wednesday I was back at the factory, and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead.

"That's how I've been operating in all the years together. Of course, some years are just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes," he added.

Red Bull has also undergone significant personnel changes during Verstappen’s time with the organisation, but the 28-year-old accepted that departures were part of Formula 1: “People come and go – I think that's sometimes also part of the process.

“Sometimes you want people to stay potentially, yes, but I think that's just how life is and how sport is as well. You just have to carry on and try to find new talents. That's what you look at all the time, and that's what we do,” he said.

Verstappen is also becoming increasingly involved in developing young drivers through his own racing operation. He recently signed 15-year-old Dries Van Langendonck, who is part of McLaren’s development programme, with the aim of supporting the Belgian driver’s progress towards Formula 1.

Verstappen said, "Dries has been a big talent for a long time already in karting, and I think you can spot quite quickly when someone is a little bit more special than someone else. That's why I think it's just very exciting to try and help him, guide him.

"Of course, hand in hand from McLaren’s side as well, to make the right decisions for his future. He wants to get to Formula 1, and I'm just trying to make sure that will happen in the future. It's honestly a very exciting project to be part of," concluded Verstappen.

If the 28-year-old does decide to depart Red Bull at some point, between now and when his contract is up for renewal at the end of 2028, his realistic options are one of the other three top teams of this current era.

Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren are possible destinations, with Zak Brown's team increasingly looking like home for Verstappen. Apart from the match made in heaven orange branding, there are many familiar faces he knows too well heading to Woking.
(Reporting by Agnes Carlier at Spa-Francorchamps)