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Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor
SPIELBERG, Austria — After months of hypothesis over his future, Max Verstappen has confirmed he’ll stay at Pink Bull in 2025, ruling out a swap to rivals Mercedes.
Verstappen has a contract with the staff till 2028, however has persistently been linked with a transfer to Mercedes this 12 months.
The rumours have been cast amid tensions at Pink Bull earlier this season, which stemmed from an investigation into staff principal Christian Horner over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff did nothing to disguise his curiosity in Verstappen as his staff assessed its choices to switch Lewis Hamilton, who will go away Mercedes for Ferrari on the finish of this season.
As just lately as final week’s Spanish Grand Prix the prospect of Verstappen switching groups was raised within the media once more, though Wolff mentioned not talks have been ongoing with the motive force.
Verstappen has been reluctant to offer a straight reply on the problem all 12 months, and initially gave a obscure response when requested forward of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.
“I feel I’ve mentioned this earlier than. I imply, naturally, after all, individuals are speaking,” he mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s most vital simply that we have now a really aggressive automotive for the long run.
“In the intervening time, after all, it’s extremely tight, however we’re working very properly as a staff to try to enhance extra.
“And for positive, I mentioned this already with the staff, we’re working and focusing additionally on subsequent 12 months to try to be aggressive once more.”
Pressed to offer a sure or no reply as to whether he could be at Pink Bull in 2025, he added: “You did not get that out of my reply earlier than?
“OK, sure, however that is what I mentioned. We’re already additionally engaged on subsequent 12 months’s automotive, you understand. I feel once you’re very centered on that, that implies that you are additionally driving for the staff.”
Pink Bull’s benefit over the remainder of the sphere has shrunk in current races, though Verstappen has nonetheless received three of the final 4 races and 7 of the ten to date this 12 months.
Requested if he would look to modify groups if Pink Bull continues to lose floor, he mentioned: “I do not suppose that is how System One works, the place then out of the blue you may say, properly, bye, guys.
“, it isn’t the way it works. I’ve a protracted contract with the staff. I am very blissful the place I am at. “And like I mentioned earlier than, we’re focusing additionally already on subsequent 12 months with issues that we will implement on the automotive.”