P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen ‘certain’ to stay at Red Bull after Martin Brundle ‘conversation’
Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle is confident that Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season, a decision seemingly influenced by a recent discussion that took place at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Speculation regarding Verstappen’s future arose due to a decline in performance and the departure of Christian Horner as team principal and CEO post the British GP.
Despite interests from Mercedes and Aston Martin, Toto Wolff’s focus on retaining George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026 has potentially diminished the likelihood of a driver switch next season.
Given the extensive modifications expected in F1’s technical regulations for 2026, drivers may find 2027 as a more preferable window for team transitions once the new competitive hierarchy is established.
Brundle’s insight, derived from his conversation, suggests that Verstappen’s priority for 2026 will be staying loyal to Red Bull, especially considering his emphasis on having a competitive car and the team’s current positive momentum on track.
