Max Verstappen addresses Red Bull exit rumors ahead of Saudi Arabian GP

Red Bull’s start to the Formula 1 season has been anything but smooth. Although Max Verstappen claimed victory in one of the first four races, the team has already made a change to its second driver, replacing Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda. However, both drivers have struggled to meet expectations.

Ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen remains confident in his ability to fight for the championship. While he has publicly admitted that the current Red Bull car is difficult to handle, the Dutch driver now faces another challenge, uncertainty over his future with the team.

Reports have surfaced suggesting Verstappen is considering a departure from Red Bull in pursuit of new goals with another team. But on Thursday, the reigning world champion addressed those rumors directly.

“Honestly, a lot of people are talking about it—except me,” Verstappen told reporters. “I just want to focus on my car and work with the people in the team. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about in Formula 1. I’m very relaxed.”

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing attends the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil.

Verstappen reflects on Red Bull struggles and the 2025 F1 season

In addition to addressing rumors about a potential departure from Red Bull, Verstappen shared his thoughts on the car’s performance and the team’s struggles during the Bahrain Grand Prix. The reigning champion managed to climb to sixth place in the final lap, salvaging valuable points after a difficult weekend.

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“Naturally, Bahrain wasn’t a great weekend for us, and I think we were all pretty disappointed,” Verstappen admitted. “But we just keep trying to improve the car and come up with new ideas. The competition is tough, but that’s how I approach my weeks, always trying to improve the situation.“

Despite ongoing speculation about his future, Verstappen remains focused on improving his performance in a challenging car. As teams previously linked to the Dutchman begin to solidify their lineups for upcoming seasons, it appears Verstappen is committed to working through Red Bull’s early-season hurdles.

Verstappen opens up on Red Bull’s internal frustration

At the start of the season, setbacks have tested Red Bull’s typically smooth operations. While they remain within reach in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings, frustration has crept into the paddock as expectations clash with on-track results.

Verstappen addressed the mood inside the team following Bahrain in the Formula 1. “I think they were just having conversations about everything, which I believe is completely fair,” he said. “We were all frustrated with the result and the things that went wrong during the race. Raymond, Helmut, and even Christian [Horner] sat down to talk it through. That kind of discussion should be allowed.”