After being notably reserved about his future during Thursday’s media day at Silverstone, Max Verstappen was much more open in an interview with The Daily Mail, speaking to journalist Jonathan McEvoy. In the interview, the reigning Formula 1 world champion made it clear that, despite rumors of talks with Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, he intends to stay at Oracle Red Bull Racing.
Although he insisted that he holds no grudges against British driver George Russell, Max Verstappen was adamant about his loyalty to Red Bull Racing. The Dutchman referred to the idea of leaving the Milton Keynes-based outfit as a “scenario that does not exist in my mind,” putting a firm stamp on his commitment to the team that brought him three consecutive world titles.
The statement is significant, especially considering that various parties—including Max Verstappen’s own management—have admitted to ongoing conversations with Mercedes.
“In 2021, I said that I wanted to stay with Red Bull for my entire career, and that is still my goal,” Max Verstappen told The Daily Mail. “I am fully committed to the team. I can’t do anything about all the stories that are written. I don’t even pay attention to them. But the idea of taking a sabbatical year has never even crossed my mind.”
Relationship with George Russell
Journalist Jonathan McEvoy also asked Max Verstappen how he would feel about teaming up with George Russell in the future, considering the ongoing rumors linking the Dutch driver to Mercedes.
Max Verstappen gave a clear and firm response: “Going somewhere else or being teammates with anyone else is not in my mind. That scenario doesn’t exist in my thoughts. I get along with George Russell. We’ve had some tense moments on track, but everything’s fine—we talk. At least from my side, everything has been left behind. I’m not someone who holds grudges.”
Looking beyond Formula 1
The interview later shifted to more general reflections on Verstappen’s mindset and approach to his racing career.
“I’ve already achieved everything I wanted in racing and in Formula 1,” Max Verstappen said. “Of course, I still want to win more, but I’m not happy with how this season is going. People form their opinions about me—whether those are good or bad honestly doesn’t matter to me. I came into F1 to race for myself and for the people around me, not to win seven or eight world championships. I don’t care how I’ll be remembered.”
It was classic Max Verstappen—honest, sharp, and direct as always. “I have a lot of passions outside of Formula 1,” he concluded. “If I said ‘I’m stopping,’ I’d have plenty of things to do outside the sport.”
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