Verstappen confirms his loyalty to Red Bull.

      "I would love to race here until the very end."

      19 September 2025 - 10:25

      Max Verstappen emphasizes that his ambition is to remain with Red Bull throughout his career, despite ongoing speculation about potential transfers to Mercedes. "I have to say, the Red Bull family is fantastic. We’ve been together for a long time, and I still enjoy it," the four-time world champion told Sky Deutschland in Baku. "I’ve always expressed my desire to race here until the end. That’s been the dream—and it remains so."

      This statement follows the troubled recent saga involving Christian Horner, but the Dutch driver acknowledges that Red Bull faces a significant challenge with the introduction of its in-house engine project in 2026. "Next year won’t be straightforward with our own engine, but it also presents a new risk for Red Bull, which is exciting," Verstappen remarked.

      Dr. Helmut Marko, in an interview with Austria’s Osterreich newspaper, said that the recent pole position and win at Monza demonstrate Red Bull is progressing under the leadership of new team principal Laurent Mekies. "That won’t work at every track—Singapore, for instance, doesn't suit us," he cautioned. "I’m eager to see if the positive trend continues in Baku. Baku should reveal whether Monza was merely a weak spot for McLaren, or if we’ve truly caught up."

      Although Verstappen and Marko have already acknowledged that the 2025 championship challenge is not within reach, former Mercedes boss Norbert Haug still considers a comeback possible. "I see that as entirely realistic," the 72-year-old said to DPA. "There are still 200 points available in the remaining eight main races, along with points from sprint races. Anyone who witnessed Verstappen’s dominant win at Monza knows it wasn't just a one-off due to track specifics."

      Part of Verstappen’s positive outlook comes from Red Bull's approval for him to compete in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours. "Helmut is excited about it," Verstappen smiled. "He understands my passion for it and the commitment I put in." However, he noted that it hinges on F1 priorities. "There will be new regulations next year, which will be challenging enough on their own. We’ll see how things unfold."

      Rivals have expressed admiration for Verstappen. Haas rookie Oliver Bearman commented, "I hope to reach a stage in my career where I can just drive whatever I want—out of pure passion. It’s incredibly impressive. He’s likely the best driver in history. It’s amazing that he simply goes to the Nordschleife and delivers."