F1 experts very firm when addressing rumors around Verstappen

As confirmed personally during Thursday’s media day, Max Verstappen will remain a Red Bull driver in 2026. The Dutchman wanted to put an end to all speculation about his future by speaking out directly.

F1 Dutch commentators Jack Plooij and Olav Mol were clear when the topic came up: ''Point, next topic. It's a done deal, we've been talking about it for so long, I don't see it as news anymore'', Plooij started.

Olav Mol was also done with the topic: ''There's nothing confirmed, he's indicated that it certainly wasn't his idea to go, period. He's confirmed nothing, no press release has been issued, because he had a contract until 2028. End of discussion.''

Jan Lammers was also a guest and spoke about the rumors that have been very persistent lately. ''It's a classic story always, the people who say it don't know it, and the people who know it don't say it. So for the future, you know that if someone shouts something you have to take it with a grain of salt.''

Lammers also added: ''In principle, he has a contract until 2028 and everyone has said everything about that and for him it was not an issue, so it doesn't surprise me. I do think Aston Martin has pulled hard at him. That could potentially be an interesting party with all the investments that have been made there'',

Meanwhile, the action on track continues, with the Hungarian race weekend in full swing. It's been a difficult one so far for Max Verstappen, to say the least — he finished ninth in FP1 and could only manage 14th in FP2. Verstappen even described the Red Bull as "uncontrollable."