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Coronel says Verstappen staying at Red Bull in 2026
Jun.14 (GMM) Max Verstappen is not leaving Red Bull, according to a Dutch racing expert who knows the world champion personally.
After the recent Spanish Grand Prix, where Verstappen was penalised for an incident with George Russell and admitted his 2025 title hopes were slim, speculation grew that he may be trying to activate a contract exit clause and move to Mercedes or Aston Martin for 2026.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko rejected those claims.
“For one thing, he could do it much more discreetly than that,” he told Kleine Zeitung.
In Canada, Verstappen seems in much better spirits. During a media session, he defended a team member after being blamed publicly by Sky reporter Ted Kravitz for a strategy error in Barcelona.
“Since Jonathan Wheatley went, obviously you have Stephen Knowles who is doing it now,” Kravitz said.
Verstappen responded: “I think it's not really nice to try and single out a person, because that's never the case. I think we just look at it as a team, what we always can do better, and that's also how we look at it in Barcelona. It's not fair to now single out one single person.”
Dutch racing driver and media pundit Tom Coronel believes that Verstappen’s strong defence of his team is all the proof needed that he’s staying put.
“I see that Max has made his choice, and that is why he is standing up for Red Bull,” Coronel told Viaplay. “He is not looking for another team. You can clearly see that he is staying with Red Bull.”
Not everyone agrees. Mathias Lauda, son of F1 legend Niki Lauda, believes Verstappen’s next move is still uncertain.
When asked what car Verstappen will drive in 2026, he told Osterreich: “Wow, that's difficult. I don't think even Max knows yet. I can even imagine him saying 'I'm taking a year off - I want to enjoy my new baby and spend more time at home'.”
Lauda added: “During this time, he can take a look at who has the best package under the new regulations and choose a cockpit that will put him in contention for the title again. A year off would certainly do him good.”]]>09:00
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Glock urges Aston Martin to drop Stroll for 2026
Jun.14 (GMM) Lance Stroll is running out of time in Formula 1, according to former grand prix driver Timo Glock.
The Canadian, who returned to the paddock in Montreal following surgery and a one-race absence after Barcelona, was seen wearing a bandage on his right wrist. Rumours suggest he aggravated a 2023 cycling injury during a fit of anger after qualifying in Spain. Aston Martin confirmed that Stroll had been "upset".
Asked about the injury at his home race, Stroll said: "I don't really want to get into detail because it's just my medical privacy, and I like to keep that confidential."
Stroll's strained relationship with the media and fans has also remained in the spotlight. At Thursday’s press conference in Montreal, he offered short, disinterested answers, prompting criticism.
Germany’s Sport Bild reported: "He lounges listlessly on the couch next to Lewis Hamilton and Franco Colapinto, demonstratively chewing gum. Stroll's answers were monosyllabic. How monosyllabic? Stroll's average was 33.72 words per answer. The performance left journalists shaking their heads."
A journalist from France’s L’Equipe added: "The man continues to take a beating, from you, from us, from everything. And he continues to show it, unashamedly."
Glock believes Stroll, the son of Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll, hasn’t shown enough progress in nearly a decade on the grid – especially with top drivers like Max Verstappen, George Russell, and Yuki Tsunoda potentially on the market.
"If you look at Stroll's record in qualifying duels, he's never had the upper hand," Glock told Sky Deutschland. "They were mostly relatively clear defeats, and he hasn't been convincing with consistency this year either. There are always weekends where it seems as if he's catching up to Fernando Alonso, but over the course of a whole year, he's simply too far behind."
"Ultimately, Stroll is definitely not where he needs to be after his long time in Formula 1. Would I keep him for 2026 if I were in charge at Aston Martin? No.
"Aston Martin needs a different approach if it wants to succeed. They need two drivers who consistently deliver."]]>09:00
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Verstappen unlikely to win in Canada, says Marko
Dr Helmut Marko has cast serious doubt on Red Bull's chances of winning this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.Jun 13, 08:30
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Ocon defends Stroll’s place in Formula 1
Aston Martin has dismissed speculation that Lance Stroll is on the verge of being replaced in the team’s Formula 1 lineup.Jun 12, 14:00
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Alpine might lure Horner with team equity
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes Christian Horner could realistically leave Red Bull for Alpine — especially if Renault is willing to offer him a stake in the team.Jun 12, 14:00
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Newey already drawing talent to Aston Martin - de la Rosa
The 'Adrian Newey effect' is already being felt at Aston Martin, according to team ambassador Pedro de la Rosa.Jun 9, 13:51
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Lance Stroll 'in good condition' for Canada comeback
Lance Stroll is expected to return to the cockpit of his Aston Martin this weekend for his home race in Canada.Jun 9, 13:51
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Russell in talks with Red Bull and Aston Martin for 2026
George Russell may have top-tier options on the table if Mercedes reshuffles its driver lineup for 2026.Jun 6, 15:50
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Max Verstappen secures Saudi Arabia Grand Prix pole after Lando Norris crashes out in Q3
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen qualifies fastest for Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Championship leader Lando Norris crashes out in Q3.Apr 19, 18:28
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Max Verstappen wins controversial Qatar Grand Prix after Lando Norris penalty
Max Verstappen emerges victorious from the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday evening, helped by a controversial penalty handed to Lando Norris.Dec 1, 18:33
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Lando Norris qualifies on pole for Brazilian Grand Prix after five red flags
McLaren driver Lando Norris defies five red flags during qualifying to secure pole position for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.Nov 3, 12:33
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Singapore Grand Prix: Lando Norris wins to reduce Max Verstappen Championship lead
Lando Norris breezes to victory in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix to further reduce Max Verstappen's lead in the title race.Sep 22, 14:06
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Preview: Singapore Grand Prix - track guide, prediction, race preview
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix at Zandvoort, including predictions, a track guide and qualifying results.Sep 20, 10:00
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Oscar Piastri wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after late Sergio Perez, Carlos Sainz Jr crash
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri holds off the challenge of Charles Leclerc to win Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Lando Norris closes the gap on Championship leader Max Verstappen.Sep 15, 13:09
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Preview: Azerbaijan Grand Prix - track guide, prediction, race preview
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku, including predictions, a track guide and qualifying results.Sep 13, 11:29
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Preview: Italian Grand Prix - track guide, prediction, race preview
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, including predictions, a track guide and qualifying results.Aug 30, 18:52
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Preview: Dutch Grand Prix - track guide, prediction, race preview
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, including predictions, a track guide and qualifying results.Aug 22, 20:40
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Krack's repeated non-denials fuel Audi switch rumours
Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack has once again carefully navigated through raging speculation about a potential move to Audi.Jul 30, 08:16
Charles Leclerc secures pole for Belgian Grand Prix, benefits from regulations
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc will start on pole for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix in near-identical circumstances to 2023 qualifying.Jul 27, 15:32
McLaren one-two as Norris allows Piastri to win Hungarian Grand Prix
Oscar Piastri wins the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, his first success in Formula 1, but only after Lando Norris gifted him the lead in the closing stages.Jul 21, 15:26