Verstappen remains 'comfortable' at Red Bull with attention on family.

      "Family is the most essential aspect of life."

      Max Verstappen asserts that he remains entirely devoted to Red Bull despite the recent challenges, both on the track and in other areas. The four-time world champion publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the team after rumors linked him to Mercedes during the summer. "Certainly, the past few months have been turbulent," Verstappen remarked in a new exclusive interview with Sky Deutschland. "I must say that the atmosphere in the team is very calm now, and it feels good. That’s how it should be. Naturally, the performances this year haven't met our expectations."

      So far, he has secured four victories with the RB21, including the last two in succession, and now feels more settled. "The Red Bull family is truly wonderful," Verstappen stated. "I’ve often said that I wish to race here throughout my entire career. That opportunity still exists."

      Verstappen spoke highly of the new team principal Laurent Mekies. "He has a completely different background since he is an engineer," the Dutchman noted, contrasting Mekies with the dismissed Christian Horner. "He brings a wealth of experience from other teams and always asks the right questions. I think he’s doing incredibly well," he added.

      The driver also shared insights into his personal life as a new father. "Very important - ultimately, family is the most important thing in life," he expressed. "Yes, definitely, she sleeps through the night, so I’m very lucky with that," referring to his baby daughter Lily. "She sleeps for a long stretch, at least eight to nine hours, so that’s going really well."

      Regarding his stepdaughter Penelope, Verstappen acknowledged: "It’s different. I’m present, but I’m not her father. That alters the dynamic a bit, as I can’t be too strict with her. I leave that to the mother!"

      Outside of Formula 1, Verstappen is eager to participate in more races beyond the championship. "Naturally, I want to take part in more endurance races, whether it’s in a GT3 or a hypercar. Competing in Le Mans and Daytona, for instance, is something you naturally aspire to do in a faster car," he commented.

      A potential entry in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours is on the table. "The opportunity exists, but it also hinges on how things progress in Formula 1," he mentioned. "Next year, everything will be different. You need to focus 100 percent on that, but if it works out, then perhaps. I’m not certain yet," Verstappen confessed.

      "I have the simulator at home, so I’m already doing a lot of driving, but being present for my family is also important. I have Formula 1, the GT3 project is ongoing, and the sim team as well. I don’t manage all of this on my own; the people around me support me tremendously," he added.