F1 Today | Verstappen confirms Red Bull as 2026 team, Vasseur extends Ferrari contract, Piastri shuts down McLaren rivalry

Max Verstappen has laid the Mercedes rumours to rest with the confirmation he will be staying with Red Bull Racing for 2026. On media day in Hungary, Verstappen told GPBlog and others, "Time to stop the rumours: my intention was always to stay."

While rumours have been swirling over the past few months surrounding Verstappen's future at Red Bull, he doubled down, saying that it was always his intention to stay. George Russell previously confirmed talks between the verstappen camp and Toto Wolff during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. However, that's all they were: talks. 

Verstappen's current contract with the Milton Keynes-based team runs until 2028. As of two weeks ago, Red Bull Racing brought in Laurent Mekies as their new team principal (and now CEO). The Dutchman will continue with this team for the foreseeable Formula 1 season.

Earlier today, it was announced that the current Ferrari team principal would stay just that. In the press announcement, Ferrari said, "Scuderia Ferrari HP is pleased to announce that it has extended, with a multiple-year contract, its agreement with Fred Vasseur, who will continue as Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari HP for the coming Formula 1 seasons." 

This move by Ferrari was highly supported by both drivers. In the FIA press conference, Charles Leclerc said that he was "very, very happy" to have Vasseur remain with the team.

Lewis Hamilton was the same. Speaking to GPBlog and others, Hamilton said, "There's nothing else to add. I told you before that it was the right choice. Fred signed me here. I've been wanting to work with him."

Oscar Piastri refuted the claims of a harsh McLaren rivalry during the Hungarian Grand Prix media conference. While the Aryton Senna and Alain Prost rivalry plauged McLaren, Piastri does not see the same happening between himself and Lando Norris.

He said, "We're both very conscious that we want this opportunity of having the car and the team in this position for many years to come. The best way that we can help as drivers, apart from driving fast is by giving the team good morale and good confidence and just making it a good team environment."

During the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, Piastri won his first race. In what was considered a controversial call from McLaren 'Papaya Rules' were enacted. Norris, who was in the lead, was to give Piastri the position back.

This year, while fighting for fourth position at the Canadian Grand Prix, Norris DNF'ed after running into Piastri and clipping the wall. However, Norris apologised immediately after, leaving no toxicity in the team regarding the incident.