Red Bull’s chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff has declared his absolute certainty that Max Verstappen will conclude his Formula One career with the Austrian outfit.
Speaking to Dutch publication De Telegraaf on Sunday, Mintzlaff brushed aside any concerns regarding performance-related exit provisions in the four-time world champion’s contract.
“What is important to say is that I am not afraid of any performance clause in his contract,” the Red Bull boss stated.
The 28-year-old Dutchman remains bound to the Milton Keynes-based team until 2028, though his deal reportedly contains a release clause.
Max Verstappen is going nowhere, Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff insisted
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Mercedes had been strongly linked with Verstappen during the opening months of this season.
Verstappen’s future became a subject of intense speculation during the first half of 2025, when Red Bull found themselves trailing McLaren by a considerable margin.
The Dutchman sat more than 100 points behind Oscar Piastri in the championship standings as late as August.
However, a remarkable resurgence in the latter portion of the campaign transformed his prospects entirely.
Verstappen mounted a formidable challenge against both McLaren drivers, ultimately falling just two points short of Lando Norris in the final reckoning.
Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen to the world title this year
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REUTERSHis impressive form followed significant changes within the team, including the departure of team principal Christian Horner after an internal power struggle.
Long-serving adviser Helmut Marko also stepped down at season’s end.
Mintzlaff emphasised that the team’s collective effort had made a profound impression on their star driver.
“What is most important for an athlete is to see that everyone in the team gives everything for him,” he told De Telegraaf. “And I think Max has been impressed by the way the results and the atmosphere in the team have turned this year.”
The Red Bull chief pointed to the organisation’s substantial investment in developing its own power unit as evidence of their commitment.
“Don’t forget that we are an energy drink brand and what a unique step this is,” Mintzlaff noted. “I feel that there is enormous mutual appreciation and loyalty.”
Verstappen himself had moved to quash transfer speculation prior to his late-season revival.
Max Verstappen endured tough moments over the season but only missed out on the title by two points
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PASpeaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, the Dutchman confirmed his commitment to remaining with Red Bull for the 2026 campaign.
“I think it’s time to basically stop all the rumours and, for me, it’s always been quite clear that I was staying anyway,” he explained.
The four-time champion revealed that ongoing discussions about car development demonstrated his dedication to the project.
“I think when you’re not interested in staying then you also stop talking about these kind of things – and I never did,” Verstappen added.
