Max Verstappen says he’s oblivious to the speculation surrounding his fate at the end of the 2025 season, insisting his focus is on fixing Red Bull’s tricky RB21 and chasing results – not headlines.
The Formula 1 paddock loves a good rumor, and lately, the buzz has been about the Dutchman’s future with Red Bull Racing.
A cryptic comment from team advisor Helmut Marko, expressing “great concern” that the four-time world champion might leave if the team’s performance doesn’t improve, sent speculation into overdrive.
Whispers of a potential move to Aston Martin to reunite with design guru Adrian Newey only fueled the fire. But Verstappen, ever the cool-headed racer, is having none of it.
Unbothered by Chatter
Speaking in Jeddah ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the four-time world champion brushed off the chatter, doubling down on his commitment to improving his team’s fortunes.
“I don't know [about the rumours] – I just keep working, trying to improve the car,” he said.
“Naturally, Bahrain wasn't a great weekend for us and I think we were all pretty disappointed. But we just keep on trying to improve the car, come up with new ideas to try on the car.
“Competition is tough, but that's how I go about my weeks, trying to improve the situation.”
While the F1 rumor mill churns, Verstappen insists he’s immune to the distractions.
“Honestly a lot of people are talking about it, except me. I just want to focus on my car, work with the people in the team – that's the only thing I'm thinking about in Formula 1. I'm very relaxed,” he declared.
A Frustration With Performance, Not People
Verstappen also rejected suggestions that internal team dramas – Red Bull has faced its share of off-track turbulence over the past year – have soured his environment.
“I am happy [at Red Bull], I'm just not very happy with, of course, our car. But that goes for everyone, we all want to be better, there's no secret about that,” he explained.
“That's what we're trying to improve,” he explained.
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Rather than an internal breakdown, Verstappen framed recent discussions within the garage — including the tense moment in Bahrain between Marko and his manager Raymond Vermeulen – as part of a healthy, open culture.
“I think we had really good chats in the past weeks about the car. I think we're all very much aligned, we're just trying to make the situation better. It doesn't change anything,” he said.
“To my knowledge, I think they were having a conversation about everything, which I think is allowed.
“I think we were all left frustrated with the result, with the things that went wrong in the race. And I think that's what Raymond and Helmut spoke about, and Christian [Horner] even came along and they all had a conversation. I think that should be allowed.
“We care, at the end of the day. We care about the team, we care about the people, we care about results. I think that's quite normal.”
A Race by Race Mindset
As the defending champion fights to maintain his grip on the title amid increasing competition and a tricky car, Verstappen says his focus remains squarely on what he can control.
“I'm not thinking about [rumours], I'm just going race by race. Hopefully it'll be better than Bahrain, if it can be a bit in the middle of the two [with Suzuka] it will be better.”
“It's out of my hands anyway, if we are not the quickest it's very tough to fight for a championship. I'm hopeful we can still improve things, but let's see what we get.”
Alonso Weighs In – With a Wink
Joining Verstappen in the same press conference, Fernando Alonso added a dash of humour to the speculation, addressing talk that Verstappen might replace him at Aston Martin.
“I don't think so, as I have a contract for next year. But I see the rumours, it's very good for the team,” commented the Spaniard.
“The world champion is sometimes linked with other teams, a possible departure from Red Bull, and the teams they are commenting are Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Ferrari.
“And that shows the project we are in, and the future that this team has. As I said always, when I extended the contract, I said I would drive for as long as I feel fast.”
For now, Verstappen’s future is clear: he’s staying put, pouring his energy into wringing every ounce of performance from the RB21.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with its high-speed demands, awaits as the next battleground. If anyone can tame Red Bull’s beast and silence the doubters, it’s the unflappable Dutchman who thrives under pressure.
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