Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says it is "impossible to say 100%" if Max Verstappen will be driving for the team in 2026.

Speculation over Verstappen's future has been rife in the last week after George Russell hinted at talks between Mercedes and the Dutchman before the Austrian Grand Prix, which was later confirmed by Toto Wolff.

Reports then emerged earlier this week that conversations between the pair had escalated, though Verstappen said on Thursday that "nothing had changed" from his side.

Verstappen's Red Bull contract runs until 2028, though reports suggest he has clauses in his deal that could allow him to make an early departure.

And while Horner is confident that Red Bull have plenty to offer the four-time world champion, he hinted there is still a small chance he might not be with them for the next Formula One season.

"We have a great relationship with Max. We know where we stand within the agreement, which will always remain confidential between him and the team," Horner told Sky Italy.

"We are just focused on performing. If things stay as they are, 100% he will be with us next year."

Pushed on whether that meant he was certain Verstappen would stay, Horner added: "It's impossible to say 100%. Is it clear George Russell will 100% be at Mercedes next year?"

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Verstappen is currently third in the drivers' standings on 155 points, 61 points behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

He has earned two race wins this year, emerging victorious at the Japanese and Emilia-Romagna Grands Prix.

However, the 27-year-old enters the British Grand Prix on the back of retiring in Austria after a collision with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.

Horner confirmed there are performance clauses in Verstappen's contract, but he reiterated his faith in being able to keep him with the team.

"The contracts between the drivers and the teams are always going to remain confidential. With any driver's contract, there is an element of a performance mechanism, and that exists within Max's contract," he said.

"Absolutely, his intention is that he will be there and driving for us in 2026. It's inevitable that he's of huge interest to any other team in the pit lane.

"George triggered all this speculation, probably trying to leverage his own situation and force clarity, which you can understand, because he's driven a very good season as well this year.

"Inevitably, there will always be speculation about that. I think the most important thing is that clarity exists between Max and the team."