Max Verstappen ended weeks of speculation about his future on Thursday when the reigning Formula One world champion said he would be staying with Red Bull in 2026. Verstappen said it was time to "stop all the rumours".

"I`ve never really said anything about it because I was just focused on talking to the team about how we can improve our performance," the Dutchman explained at the Hungaroring circuit ahead of this weekend`s Hungarian Grand Prix. "And that`s why I had nothing really to add, but I think it`s time to basically stop all the rumours. "For me, it`s always been quite clear that I was staying anyway."

Four-time world champion Verstappen`s future became a subject of speculation after rival driver George Russell revealed his Mercedes team were talking to the Dutchman`s management about his future plans.