Max Verstappen has confirmed that he held serious negotiations with rival Formula 1 teams before deciding to extend his contract with Red Bull, telling the BBC that talks with other outfits did take place.
The four-time world champion said he had taken the negotiations seriously and that they had been conducted with respect, adding that there was nothing wrong with that.
Talks with Mercedes and McLaren
Verstappen's future had been the subject of widespread speculation in recent months, with reports linking him to discussions with Mercedes and McLaren. Red Bull, the team he has driven for since he entered Formula 1, ended the uncertainty by announcing on August 20 that Verstappen had signed a new contract extension.
Verstappen said he had not been interested in a new challenge for its own sake. He said he felt no need or desire to prove to others that he could win in a different car, adding that it is easy to drive the fastest car on the grid.
'Not my style' to jump ship
He said a captain cannot abandon the ship the moment something goes wrong, and that this was not his style. He acknowledged that Red Bull's current form is worse than during the team's years of dominance, but said he did not mind helping rebuild it, calling it another challenge.
Verstappen said he had felt that staying at Red Bull was the right decision for him, and that a driver has to follow his heart. He said he could have left at the very start of his career to try to win elsewhere, but that showing patience ultimately brings triumphs, and that this is now his approach.
The 2026 season has been difficult for Verstappen. He lost the number 1, reserved for the reigning world champion, to Lando Norris, and has repeatedly criticised the design of this year's car, the RB22. With the season now in its decisive phase, Verstappen has yet to win a race.
