Verstappen's future at Red Bull still uncertain, warns manager

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Vermeulen cleared up if talks with other teams had were now behind Verstappen's management team.

Vermeulen then stated that, should Verstappen had been able to trigger the clause that would see him exit Red Bull at the end of 2025, it was not set in stone he would've done so.

Looking into next year when the new regulations are set to be introduced, Vermeulen knows all too well, everything can change in F1.

Reflecting on the occasions where he, Verstappen and his father Jos Verstappen, have had to take on a similar approach he names the four-time world champion's move up to Red Bull, and the Austrian team's switch from Renault to Honda power units, for instance.

After acknowledging that ultimately, Verstappen was the sole decider of his future, the Dutchman completing his entire F1 tenure at Red Bull, albeit "fantastic" really depended on one thing.

"Of course. There have been times when Red Bull really fell short. Then it makes sense that you think to yourself: what if we sink even further through the ice?," Vermeulen wondered, before highlighting Red Bull's awakening last time out in Monza.

Red Bull will field its own engines next year, making the transition from engine customer to engine supplier. A decision which could see the Austrians relegated to lower positions than it's used to finding themselves in.

Vermeulen agrees, but also indicates that the same may be true for all other teams given the uncertainty the new regulations will, under which he believes the chassis will also have a significant impact in determining the pecking order.

After affirming that Verstappen wants to add even more titles to his already vast collection of four accolades, Vermeulen does believe next year could prove to be pivotal in determining the current Red Bull Racing champion's future, which remains tied to Red Bull, at least on paper, until 2028.

After his future was dubbed to be up in the air by the media, Verstappen quashed rumours of a potential exit at the end of the current campaign by stating he would drive for Red Bull in 2026.

He did not say anything regarding his future beyond that, tacitly leaving the door open for a potential departure after next year. He then urged the team to continue to push ahead in their current campaign to learn more this year's car.

This direction has so far given the Bulls a sprint win, a second place finish at Zandvoort and a Grand Prix win last time out in Italy.