World Champion Max Verstappen confirmed on Thursday that he will stay with Red Bull next year, dismissing earlier rumors of a possible move to German team Mercedes-Benz.
"Ok, yes," Verstappen replied when asked about his future with the team during a press conference. "I have a long contract with the team." At the same time, he insisted that the team's goal is to focus on the car. "It is very tight on track, but we are working as a team to try and improve. We want to be competitive again next year."
Previously, Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff had declared Verstappen was his primary target for replacing departing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
