(Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen didn't get stressed by widespread speculation in recent months that he might leave Red Bull Racing for Mercedes in 2026.

In fact, he said 'it was very, very simple' in making the decision to stay with Red Bull. He is under contract until the 2028 Formula 1 season but had a potential exit clause based on his championship points standing that ended up not being triggered.

'I only say what I want to say,' Verstappen told ESPN in a report published Friday. 'And I was never even stressed about it at all because ... of course naturally you always want to win. But at the same time, you just work on performance.

'People always come up with stories or ask questions. But for me, it was quite straightforward all the time.'

For someone in an intense profession, this matter did not put him in duress.

'I think in general, I'm a person that is always quite relaxed about it,' said Verstappen, 27. 'Like I don't stress out or go to bed massively overthinking stuff.

'I just live my life, you know, see what happens next. For me, there's nothing wrong with talking or listening (to offers) or whatever, but it was all under control.'

What wasn't in his control were the statements coming from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who in Verstappen's own words has a good relationship with the driver. Wolff was openly interested in the possibility of signing Verstappen, even holding up contract extension negotiations with Mercedes star driver George Russell.

It didn't help that social media went viral with images of Wolff and Verstappen spending time together on a yacht this summer. Both were vacationing in Sardinia.

'There's no secret,' Verstappen said. 'I mean, I even went for lunch with Toto and the family and I think that's absolutely allowed. It's not even that you speak about Formula 1 business, it's just life. We parked up next to each other because we were in the same bay to sleep and during the day everyone does their thing.

'But sometimes you meet up and you have a good relationship with people. I think that's nice, that it's not only about competition.'

Verstappen is third in the drivers standings with 187 points, trailing Oscar Piastri (284) and Lando Norris (275), both of McLaren.

The exit clause would have allowed him to leave Red Bull at the end of the 2025 season if he were fourth or lower after the Hungarian Grand Prix on Aug. 3, ESPN reported.

Verstappen has two wins and five podium finishes this year. In his career, the numbers are 65 and 117, respectively. He had double-digit race wins from 2021-23 with 10, 15 and 19.

The Dutchman is in the Netherlands this week for the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday.

--Field Level Media