Max Verstappen to stay at Red Bull through 2028 as manager dismisses transfer rumors

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen told Austrian outlet OE24 that the four‑time world champion intends to complete his contract with the team, which runs until the end of 2028, and has no plans to join McLaren or Mercedes. “The truth is that Max wants to finish his stint at Red Bull. He has a contract through 2028 and wants to see it out,” Vermeulen said, adding that the exit clause in the contract “doesn’t mean we’ll use it” and that it has never been activated.

Vermeulen’s comments came after a media frenzy sparked by the Silverstone Grand Prix and a photograph of a private meeting in Amsterdam involving Verstappen’s father Jos, his manager, and former Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko. The manager emphasized that the gathering was a long‑planned family visit and that Max’s sister’s wedding was the real occasion.

The driver has struggled in the 2026 season, suffering two rear‑wing failures in consecutive races and currently sitting seventh in the drivers’ standings. Rumours of a move to McLaren were fueled by former McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who warned “the million‑dollar question is if he were to go somewhere, he already deserves to go somewhere strong,” while speculation also linked him to Mercedes.

In a separate development, Verstappen announced that his own Verstappen Racing team has signed 15‑year‑old Belgian McLaren junior Dries van Langendonck. Verstappen praised the youngster’s progress, saying, “I am impressed by the steep progress… convinced that all the signs for becoming a great future driver are there.” Van Langendonck will continue in McLaren’s junior programme, creating a direct link between the Dutch champion’s management operation and the British team.

Together, the statements clarify Verstappen’s immediate future with Red Bull and mark his first foray into driver‑development management.