Tense Mas Verstappen shuts down questions on penalty points and Red Bull future. Max Verstappen expresses frustration during the Austrian GP media day.

Max Verstappen Speaks Out Ahead of Austrian GP: Penalties, Red Bull Future, and 2026 Rules

Max Verstappen showed clear signs of irritation during Thursday’s press conference at the Red Bull Ring ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Despite his usual detached demeanor, he did not hide his growing frustration over topics that have followed him for weeks. Questions about penalty points on his super licence and his future at Red Bull sparked a tense exchange. Gp-news.net was also present among the accredited media.

When asked whether the penalty points he has accumulated would affect his driving this weekend, Verstappen snapped: “Are you joking? Is this a trap? I get this question every single weekend,” he replied sharply. When the interviewer tried to reassure him that it would be the last time, the Dutchman cut the topic off with a cold, “I have nothing to add.”

Max Verstappen’s Future with Red Bull
It didn’t go any better when he was questioned about his future at Red Bull Racing. Asked if he would still be driving for the team in 2025, Verstappen responded with sarcasm: “You already asked me this last year. Do you want me to repeat what I said then? I don’t even remember.”

He then concluded firmly: “It’s not on my mind. I just want to drive well and focus on performance. The rest will come.”

Relationship with Sergio Pérez and the Unfulfilled Promise
The topic of his relationship with teammate Sergio Pérez also surfaced, after Pérez mentioned some 2022 incidents during a recent podcast. Max Verstappen downplayed the story: “I know how Checo is. We have a great relationship. There’s a lot of mutual respect.”

He added: “I still owe him one of my helmets, I promised it to him—maybe in Mexico City. The media write stories, but we know how things really are.”

Finally, when asked about the 2026 regulations and how they impact car design, Max kept a pragmatic tone: “I don’t make the rules. When I drive the car next year, we’ll see. I’ll adapt, like always.”

He confirmed that teams are already working in parallel on the 2026 project: “It’s a great opportunity to get things right, and I think we’re heading in the right direction.”