Red Bull Dismisses Verstappen-Mercedes Talks as Noise

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has dismissed ongoing speculation linking Max Verstappen to a move to Mercedes, labeling the rumors as 'a lot of noise' and stating that Verstappen is 'quite annoyed' by the persistent talk. Horner emphasized that Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until 2028 and that any discussions about a potential move are purely speculative, despite the existence of a reported release clause in Verstappen's contract. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff acknowledged his interest in Verstappen but described the likelihood of a deal as 'very low,' noting that any possible switch would be a long-term prospect. Meanwhile, George Russell, currently out of contract at Mercedes after this season, has expressed frustration that his renewal talks are being delayed amid the Verstappen speculation. Qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix saw Verstappen only manage seventh on the grid after yellow flags hindered his final lap, while McLaren's Lando Norris took pole position and Oscar Piastri leads the championship by 43 points. Both Red Bull and Verstappen remain focused on performance, with Horner insisting that contract details remain confidential between the parties.