Max Verstappen is nearly sure to stay at Purple Bull in 2026 as Spa weekend means he fails to set off exit clause in his contract.
A clause within the Dutchman’s contract with the Austrian crew is known to have stipulated that ought to he head into the summer season break exterior the highest three he could be free to look elsewhere.
Nonetheless, regardless of ending fourth in yesterday’s Dash he heads to Hungary with a 28-point lead over George Russell which means that he heads into the break third within the standings behind the McLaren pair.
Paradoxically, it’s Russell’s seat at Mercedes the Dutchman was probably to take.
“Whoever nonetheless doubted it, Max Verstappen will drive for Purple Bull Racing in 2026,” declares Der Telegraaf, “Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is now utterly certain that he could have transfer on to subsequent yr.”
Whereas completely nothing, actually not driver contracts as now we have seen through the years, could be taken without any consideration, hopefully the ‘will he, will not he’ and ‘the place will he go’ hysteria will quiet down in the meanwhile. Nonetheless, we’re nearly sure to see the Dutchman’s plans for 2027 take centre stage subsequent season.
Talking within the aftermath of Sunday’s race, Verstappen appears resigned to a different yr with the crew with which he gained his 4 titles.
“I believe it is nonetheless necessary additionally this yr to be taught sure issues as a result of they can even affect subsequent yr,” he advised reporters. “The automobiles shall be utterly completely different, however there are nonetheless issues that we will work on and take additionally to subsequent yr.
“So, after all, engineering and the whole lot, , the automobile design after all is underway for subsequent yr, however we will nonetheless be taught loads additionally this yr,” he added.
The way in which ought to now be cleared for Mercedes to increase Russell’s contract, and whereas Toto Wolff continues to dither, at the least publicly, talking on the weekend the Briton insisted that he’s “at peace” with the scenario.
One other yr at Milton Keynes, whereas permitting Verstappen to see how good a job the Austrian outfit has manufactured from the 2026 rules – when it comes to automobile and engine – can even afford him the chance to see who has carried out a greater job.
