Marko: From Max's point of view, it makes a lot more sense to remain.

      Verstappen anticipates more speculation in the future

      Max Verstappen has indicated that fans and the media should prepare for another wave of speculation next year, even though rumors concerning 2026 have finally subsided ahead of the summer break. "If you ask me these questions again next year, we'll have the same speculation," the Red Bull driver stated in Hungary, following weeks of uncertainty regarding his long-term plans. Verstappen had been strongly associated with a potential move to Mercedes, with reports suggesting he is now allowed to leave Red Bull for 2027, regardless of any contractual exit clauses. However, Dr. Helmut Marko maintains that it was unlikely the clause would be activated this year. "I don't know what thoughts he had, both personally and with his management," Marko told Sport1. "But from his comments, it was evident he wanted to remain." "Even if the exit clause had been activated, nobody can predict what the situation would be like in 2026. Mercedes claims to be the leader, but there’s no proof. With the chassis as well, we can’t ascertain who will come out on top. There’s a lot of uncertainty." "From his viewpoint, it makes much more sense to stay, observe, and if we’re not competitive next year, he can reconsider his choice." Ralf Schumacher told Sky Deutschland that Verstappen is wise to bide his time. "The 2026 season will certainly be thrilling with the new cars and who will excel in crafting a good one," remarked the German. "That will inevitably spark speculation again - including regarding Max Verstappen." "But perhaps Red Bull will also manage to create a competitive car, which would likely quell the speculation. However, I believe Toto Wolff won’t back down. If a team has the opportunity to have the best driver in the world - and that’s Verstappen right now - they will have to make an effort." Meanwhile, Verstappen has shifted his attention back to the performance of Red Bull as McLaren's dominance grows. "They’re flying," he said regarding McLaren's performance in Hungary. "My car feels like it’s on ice." Former F1 test driver Ho-Pin Tung concurred. "I think Max might not have had an especially good fast lap, but regardless, this gap is massive," he told Viaplay. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised the advantage of his team, especially after Verstappen complimented the orange car's handling earlier in Hungary. "The pace and extent of development over the last two years surpasses what I experienced at Ferrari during its peak," stated the Italian. "We set very ambitious targets for 2025 and developed the car very aggressively. This provided us with a lead that we managed to expand throughout the season." Marko conceded that the championship is slipping away. "The sprint victory in Spa shows that the potential is there. However, the situation has become considerably more challenging, and it requires a lot of optimism to still believe in winning the title," he remarked.