Budapest, Hungary (AFP) — Max Verstappen has put an end to weeks of speculation about his future in Formula One. Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix on Thursday, the defending world champion confirmed he’s staying with Red Bull through the 2026 season.

Verstappen said it was time to “stop all the rumors.”

“I’ve never really said anything about it because I was just focused on talking to the team about how we can improve our performance,” the Dutchman explained at the Hungaroring circuit ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

“And that’s why I had nothing really to add, but I think it’s time to basically stop all the rumors.

“For me, it’s always been quite clear that I was staying anyway.”

Four-time world champion Verstappen’s future became a subject of speculation after rival driver George Russell revealed his Mercedes team were talking to the Dutchman’s management about his future plans.

It emerged that there was a performance clause in Verstappen’s contract that offered him a chance to leave Red Bull if he was not in the top three at the end of July.

But that clause has now elapsed and he will stay with Red Bull next year, the first season following a sweeping change of technical regulations.

Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, and a similar scrutiny of his contract is expected next year once it becomes clear which teams have adapted and progressed best under the new regulations.

Verstappen has fallen 81 points behind series leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren, into third place in the drivers’ championship this year.

Red Bull is in a state of flux, after sacking their team principal, Christian Horner, this month and replacing the Briton with Laurent Mekies, the boss of their “B” team, Racing Bulls.

‘No one really knows’

Horner’s departure will have pleased Verstappen’s father Jos, who turned against the man who had led Red Bull from their launch in 2024 following last year’s accusation by a woman colleague of “inappropriate behavior.”

The Englishman was twice cleared over the claims by the Formula One team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH.

At the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, Max Verstappen insisted Horner’s shock departure had no impact on his future plans.