Verstappen looks to Red Bull’s future ahead 200th GP start

The four-time Formula 1 world champion’s comments in the team’s race preview signal a clear focus on Red Bull’s future, dispelling speculation about Verstappen's potential moves to Mercedes or Aston Martin.

Verstappen’s comments echo recent remarks by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who confirmed that the Dutch driver is staying with the team. This comes as Red Bull navigates a new chapter under team principal Laurent Mekies, following the departure of long-time leader Christian Horner.

Verstappen’s loyalty underscores his belief in the team’s direction as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the 2025 season.

Reflecting on his 200th race, Verstappen said, “We head into Hungary this week, and it is my 200th race with the Team, so it is great to take time to look back at all the successes we have achieved as a Team and look ahead to the future as well.”

He acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting, “This is the final push before summer break, where the Team can recover and recharge a bit before the second half of the season.”

The 27-year-old driver also addressed the team’s recent performance at the Belgian Grand Prix, where setup choices for wet conditions backfired in a dry race: “Spa ended up being a bit disappointing for us; we set up for a wet race and ultimately did not drive a wet race, but we will take learnings from the race and try to improve."

Looking ahead to Hungary, Verstappen highlighted the importance of qualifying at the Hungaroring, a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult: "It hasn’t always been our strongest track. I like the technical second sector

"It is, of course, difficult to overtake, so we will need to make sure we have a good qualifying session and it is very important there to find the right balance of the car.”

Verstappen’s commitment and focus come at a pivotal moment for Red Bull, as they aim to rebound from a mixed season and maintain their championship-contending form.

With the summer break looming, the Hungarian Grand Prix offers a chance for Verstappen to mark his milestone with a strong performance, setting the tone for the team’s ambitions in the second half of 2025.