Red Bull
Max Verstappen confirmed he will stay with Red Bull next year, dealing a significant blow to Mercedes' hopes of recruiting him to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.
The three-time world champion told reporters at a news conference yesterday ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, a home event for Red Bull.
His response to a direct question will end, for now at least, speculation that he had lost faith in Red Bull following a stormy passage earlier this year when team boss Christian Horner was accused of controlling behaviour by a female colleague.
Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028.
His father Jos, attending only his second race this year after declaring in Bahrain that Red Bull would "explode" if Horner was retained, appeared to support the decision to stay and fight for more glory with Red Bull.
After seven wins from 10 races this year, Verstappen has a 69-point lead in the title race ahead of nearest rival and friend Lando Norris of McLaren, who has closed the gap on track and believes he can beat him and his two-year dominance of the sport.
Mercedes and Ferrari have also shown competitive potential to win with George Russell taking the pole in Canada and Hamilton his first podium finish this season in last Sunday's Spanish race.
If Mercedes switch their attention away from Verstappen, it is expected they will sign Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, who will turn 18 in August.
