Max Verstappen has poured cold water on speculation linking him with a move to Mercedes in 2025, reiterating his commitment to Red Bull.
Evere since a management crisis erupted at Red Bull, just ahead of the start of the 2024 F1 season, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been vocal about his admiration for Verstappen.
Wolff has repeatedly openly positioned Verstappen as the ideal candidate to fill Lewis Hamilton soon-to-be-vacated seat at Mercedes, a desire further echoed this week by Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius, who publicly stated that Verstappen "would look good in silver."
However, the Dutchman remains unfazed by the Brackley squad’s advances. Speaking ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, he reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull.
“I think I’ve said this before. I mean, naturally, of course, people are talking,” he explained in Thursday’s media conference.
“But it’s most important just that we have a very competitive car for the future. At the moment, of course, it’s very tight, but we are working very well as a team to try and improve more.
“And for sure, I said this already with the team, we are working and focusing also on next year to try and be competitive again.”
After his comments, Verstappen was asked to give a concrete yes or no reply on whether he would be driving for Red Bull in 2025.
“You didn’t get that out of my answer before?” he responded, before adding: “OK, yes, but that’s what I said. We’re already also working on next year’s car, you know.
“I think when you’re very focused on that, that means that you’re also driving for the team.”
Verstappen made clear that this year’s fierce competitive landscape had not caused him to question Red Bull’s performance level or success.
“I don’t think that’s how Formula 1 works, where then suddenly you could say, ‘well, bye, guys’. You know, it’s not how it works,” he explained.
“I have a long contract with the team. I’m very happy where I’m at.
“And like I said before, we are focusing also already on next year with things that we can implement on the car. So I guess that should say enough for where I’m driving next year.”
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