Verstappen: Always quite clear that I was staying with Red Bull

Thus, Dutch ace Verstappen puts an end to speculation that the four-time Formula 1 world champion would depart Red Bull to join Mercedes for the start of a new era in the sport: "I think it's time to stop all the rumours. For me, it was always quite clear that I was staying.

"And that was the general feeling in the team because we are always in discussion about what we could do with the car, and when you're not staying, you stop talking about these kinds of things. And I never did," Verstappen told reporters in Budapest, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix on Thursday.

Formula 1 starts a new engine era next year in a major shakeup that could change the pecking order, with Mercedes expected to be strong while Red Bull are making their own power unit after a split with Honda.

Verstappen was also linked with Aston Martin, and a reunification with design guru Adrian Newey. For now, this is all on hold, as he remains at Red Bull for at least another year after this season.