Verstappen Stays at Red Bull; Horner Replaced

Max Verstappen has officially confirmed he will remain with Red Bull Racing for the 2026 Formula 1 season, ending speculation about a move to Mercedes. Despite rumors fueled by Red Bull's recent performance decline and contract exit clauses, Verstappen stated he never seriously considered leaving and is focused on team improvement. His contract runs through 2028, and the exit clause could only have been used if he dropped below third in the drivers' standings by the summer break, which did not happen. Red Bull has undergone internal changes, including the replacement of team principal Christian Horner with Laurent Mekies, a move Verstappen addressed positively while acknowledging it may not immediately improve car performance. The announcement arrives as major technical regulation changes for Formula 1 are set for 2026, raising questions about the team's future competitiveness. Verstappen emphasized his commitment to teamwork and development with Red Bull.