Max Verstappen declared his support for Red Bull in Suzuka. © APA/afp / KAZUHIRO NOGI

So now: Verstappen is committed to Red Bull

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen still sees his future at Red Bull despite internal team problems and ongoing speculation about a change.

04 April 2024

From: dpa/sn

“I am very happy with where I am at the moment and I want to leave it at that,” said the Dutchman on Thursday in Suzuka, Japan. The 26-year-old had previously said with a laugh: “It all depends on whether I want to drive next year.” However, it currently seems extremely unlikely that the three-time champion will end his career, as he later explained himself: “ I have a contract with Red Bull until 2028, only after that I want to see whether I even want to continue.”

There has been speculation for weeks that Verstappen could become record world champion Lewis Hamilton's successor at Mercedes. The Brit Hamilton will move from the Silver Arrows to Ferrari in 2025. There are rumors that Verstappen has an exit clause in his contract that could allow him to leave after this season. Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff had recently said several times that Verstappen was his preferred candidate for the vacant cockpit.