Red Bull Signs Verstappen, Replaces Tsunoda Amid F1 Market Shifts

Max Verstappen expressed disappointment in Red Bull's performance following a challenging Austrian Grand Prix, admitting to his father that the car's pace was "just not good enough," despite external factors like yellow flags affecting his qualifying position. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner highlighted a significant performance gap between Verstappen and teammate Yuki Tsunoda, whose struggles have led to calls for supporting the young driver to rebuild confidence ahead of upcoming races. Meanwhile, speculation continues around Verstappen's future, with Mercedes keen to sign the reigning world champion despite his current long-term contract with Red Bull, which reportedly includes clauses related to car competitiveness and key team personnel. Mercedes driver George Russell, whose contract may be at risk to accommodate Verstappen, has publicly acknowledged the logic behind Mercedes' interest in signing Verstappen. Red Bull is expected to focus on securing Verstappen with a robust contract extension to maintain their competitive edge, especially considering the team's ongoing challenges with Tsunoda as their second driver. The team's strategy for 2026 involves solidifying Verstappen's position while addressing internal performance disparities to stay ahead in the Formula 1 championship.