Red Bull boss 'convinced' Max Verstappen will stay in 2026

It was one of the main topics of discussion in the Jeddah paddock two weeks ago. The future of Max Verstappen was on everyone's lips after the poor performance of Red Bull in Bahrain the previous weekend. Courted by rival teams (Aston Martin, Mercedes...), the Dutchman has nevertheless reaffirmed his desire to remain at Red Bull in 2026 despite the arrival of the new technical regulations and the unknown surrounding the future RBPT-Ford engine. "A lot of people talk about it, except me." he had answered in a press conference on his situation with Red Bull and his future.

In Jeddah, the presence of one of Red Bull's senior officials did not go unnoticed. Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull's Managing Director of Projects and Investments, had traveled to Saudi Arabia to be with his team, which is experiencing a mixed start to the season. And while he assures that all members of the Austrian team are "dissatisfied with the current situation," he believes that this will not change anything regarding the future of its star driver, Max Verstappen, who is contractually bound to Red Bull until 2028.

Verstappen « also owes a lot to Red Bull"

"I am convinced that he will continue with us the long journey he has undertaken so far with Red Bull. Max will still drive for us in 2026, says the German leader in an interview with BildOn the one hand, it is not without reason that he signed until the end of 2028, and on the other hand, he recently clarified his position. Max once told me that he started his career at Red Bull and would like to finish it here. As far as I know, nothing has changed in that regard. We have benefited enormously from Max; he is the best driver in the world. But the truth is, he also owes a lot to Red Bull.

Red Bull and Max Verstappen have had a long-standing relationship since 2014, when the Austrian team spotted the Dutch prodigy in Formula 3. Established at Toro Rosso in 2015, then at Red Bull in mid-2016, the Dutchman won four world titles and 64 victories with the Milton Keynes team. However, after having acquired four consecutive crowns, Max Verstappen finds himself in a delicate situation in 2025: the RB21 is not at the level of the MCL39 and after five Grands Prix, despite some exploits in qualifying, the Dutchman is 3rd in the championship behind the drivers McLaren.

"Of course, we are going through a difficult phase at the moment, but I don't have the feeling that this makes Max doubt, says Oliver Mintzlaff. As long as the attitude that we want to build the best car in the world is respected, he will support us. That's the only way we'll succeed again. And we will. A long-term partnership also means staying together in difficult times." 

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