Max Verstappen said he hasn’t taken a decision to leave Red Bull, following a report claiming he has agreed to join Mercedes.

The reigning world champion said he remains contracted to Red Bull until 2028 and that “nothing has changed”.

Despite his long-term contract, Verstappen’s future has become a focus of speculation as Red Bull’s performance has slumped over the past 12 months and Mercedes are known to be keen to sign him. However he would not confirm reports an option to leave his contract will be activated if he falls out of the championship top three.

“I’m not speaking about my contract, to be honest,” Verstappen told media including RaceFans at Silverstone today. “It’s easier like that.”

Asked whether members of his management team had been in contact with Mercedes, Verstappen stated: “I have nothing to add.”

F1 will introduce extensively revised power unit and chassis regulations next year. Mercedes dominated the first three years after F1’s current power unit rules were introduced and are rumoured by some to have out-developed their rivals again.

But Verstappen indicated he isn’t convinced. “I think no one can say 100% for sure that they will be pretty comfortable next year,” he said.

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“There will still be so many unknowns anyway, for next year. The only thing that I have to do is drive whatever I have, fast.”

“There’s no decision [to leave Red Bull] at the moment,” he added. “So for me it’s not about ’26 or whatever.

“I just focus on what I have ahead of me, work with the team. Then of course a lot of people make up assumptions but that’s not me.”

Verstappen said he is following the feedback from the team’s simulator drivers on their 2026 design but hasn’t driven it himself recently.

He ruled out the possibility of taking a sabbatical from F1, but said he remains interested in pursuing opportunities for GT racing in the future.

“I’ll try to always in the future combine it [F1] with any kind of other racing that is possible,” said Verstappen. “But I can prepare for it [GT racing] because I do want to explore a bit other than Formula 1. Which, of course, I’m already doing with testing, but eventually also racing.”

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