MAX VERSTAPPEN ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL DECISION ON 2025 FORMULA 1 SEASON

Max Verstappen squashed speculation of him leaving Red Bull in 2025.

During Thursday's press conference ahead of Formula One's Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen initially offered vague responses when asked about his future. He relented when pressed for a more definitive yes or no about returning to Red Bull next year.

"You didn’t get that out of my answer before? OK, yes," Verstappen said, via Motorsport's Alex Kalinauckas. "And that’s what I said. We’re already working on next year’s car."

Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, but chatter about his racing future has percolated amid an investigation into team principal Christian Horner. Mercedes principal and CEO Toto Wolff, who hasn't named a 2025 replacement for Lewis Hamilton, has openly expressed interest in working with the three-time F1 champion.

However, Verstappen noted that he can't break his long-term contract with Red Bull and doesn't want to push for a split.

"I don’t think that’s how Formula One works – where then suddenly you can say, ‘Well, bye guys’. It’s not how it works," Verstappen responded. "I have a long contract with the team. I’m very happy where I’m at and, like I said before, we’re focusing also already on next year with things we can implement on the car.

"So I guess that should say enough of where I’m driving next year."

Verstappen has continued a dominant run by winning seven of 10 races this season. The 26-year-old will seek his third straight triumph at the Austrian Grand Prix this Sunday.

Related: Max Verstappen Could Make 'Shocking Exit' From Red Bull

2024-06-27T18:16:10Z dg43tfdfdgfd