One subject dominated the build-up to this weekend’s British Grand Prix within the Silverstone paddock throughout Thursday’s media day; Max Verstappen’s future.
There was barely any room to breathe, not to mention see (or certainly hear) Verstappen as the vast majority of the media centre crammed into Crimson Bull’s hospitality for a 10-minute media session with the four-time world champion.
A sea of journalists swarmed Verstappen, who batted away a barrage of questions surrounding the most popular subject in F1 – rumours linking him with a bombshell transfer to Mercedes.
Talks about Verstappen switching Crimson Bull for Mercedes have intensified since Mercedes driver George Russell claimed in Austria final week that his personal contract extension was being delayed because of the Silver Arrows pursuing his rival.
Additional gas was added to the hearth when a report from Italy instructed Verstappen has held “concrete negotiations” with Mercedes and even “mentioned sure” to Toto Wolff’s supply.
Crash.internet’s Lewis Larkam recaps what we discovered from what a tight-lipped Verstappen was prepared to reveal…
Max Verstappen is there… Someplace
Verstappen coy on Crimson Bull future
Verstappen was in no temper to offer an excessive amount of away as he confronted a grilling about his Crimson Bull future on Thursday.
The Dutchman insisted nothing has modified prior to now week as he refused to be drawn on the hyperlinks to Mercedes and did his greatest to dodge questions.
“I’ve nothing else so as to add in comparison with what I mentioned final week,” Verstappen mentioned.
“Now final week we did not have an amazing consequence. I feel it was not an amazing weekend, but additionally a bit unfortunate on the whole. I do not say in fact that we are going to be difficult McLaren, however we might have had a good consequence.
“The whole lot that I’ve mentioned that week [about my future] continues to be the identical. Nothing has modified from my facet.”
When requested if F1’s new laws for 2026 might tear up the shape e book, Verstappen retorted: “That is proper. That is why I am contracted to Crimson Bull.”
When pushed to substantiate whether or not he’ll be driving for Crimson Bull subsequent 12 months, Verstappen was much less convincing in his response.
“Like I mentioned final week, that is all that I’ve to say about it,” he supplied. “There is no such thing as a determination for the time being.
“For me, it is not about ’26 or no matter. I simply give attention to what I’ve forward of me [and to] work with the group.
“After which, in fact, lots of people make up assumptions, however you recognize that is not me.”
Max Verstappen and George Russell
© XPB Photographs
Verstappen received’t speak about exit clause
There was loads of hypothesis surrounding the small print of Verstappen’s performance-related exit clause which might allow him to go away Crimson Bull earlier than his contract expires on the finish of 2028 if sure situations are met.
Actual particulars of this aren’t publicly identified and there are conflicting experiences on what’s required for it to be triggered. Based on some, Verstappen would both have to be exterior of the highest two, three or 4 positions on the earth championship by the tip of the summer season.
Sky Sports activities have additionally reported {that a} payment “probably in extra of £100m” could be wanted to purchase Verstappen out of his present Crimson Bull deal.
Unsurprisingly, Verstappen was unwilling to speak in regards to the finer particulars of his contract as he merely acknowledged: “I’m not talking about my contract.”
F1 sabbatical dominated out
Verstappen was extra sure when the potential for a sabbatical from F1 was introduced up, one thing he was fast to rule out.
“No, no, no, no,” Verstappen replied. “F1 for positive and I will attempt sooner or later, mix it with any form of different racing that’s attainable, what I can put together for.
“As a result of I do wish to in fact discover a bit out of Formulation 1, which as a result of I am already doing with testing however finally additionally racing.”
Requested immediately if a sabbatical from F1 may very well be an choice, Verstappen mentioned: “No, no, for positive.”
