Red Bull announces: Verstappen will not give press conference

Suddenly there was a rumor: there were whispers that Max Verstappen would hold a press conference this weekend, possibly announcing a farewell to Mercedes.

GPBlog was able to swiftly debunk this rumor, yet it was still expected that Verstappen would nevertheless hold a press conference. The Belgian Grand Prix is a 'home race', and often the FIA summons a home driver to explain and clarify to the media.

It is now clear that this will not happen. The FIA has not invited Verstappen to the traditional press conference on the Thursday prior to a Grand Prix. However, the Dutchman will have an informal press chat at the Red Bull Energy Station of his employer. That happens on Thursday afternoon.

Verstappen has had a new team boss at Red Bull Racing for a few weeks now in the form of Laurent Mekies. The FIA has indeed summoned him for a press conference. This will take place on Friday afternoon, after the only free practice and before the qualifying for the sprint race the following day.