​When Max Verstappen took his seat on the red sofa for Thursday afternoon’s official FIA press conference, it was immediately clear what the next half hour would largely revolve around.Earlier that morning, Verstappen had announced a collaboration with McLaren junior Dries Van Langendonck, but most of those in attendance were interested in something else: Verstappen’s own future and the rumours linking him to McLaren.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRead Also: Max Verstappen signs McLaren junior driver Dries van Langendonck Those rumours are, in essence, nothing new. But they have gained more traction on social media since Silverstone, largely because of what has become known as “vaguetweeting”. In one particular case, it was clear to insiders from the very beginning that the post referred to Scott Dixon’s move to Arrow McLaren in IndyCar, although it still managed to send many fans down the wrong path.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs for the F1 rumours, McLaren has never denied holding talks with Verstappen either, allowing the story to continue simmering in the background. Media day at Spa did nothing to change that, not least because Verstappen himself had no intention of putting an end to the speculation.He had decided not to say anything about it at all, something that became obvious as soon as F1 presenter Tom Clarkson tried to broach the subject during the opening part of the FIA press conference.Question: Let’s talk off track. There’s been yet more speculation about your future in recent days, recent weeks. Is there any update you can give us?Verstappen: No.Question: And what do you make of the speculation?Verstappen: Nothing.Question: Do you have a date in mind?Verstappen: No, there’s nothing to say from my side.Question: So full commitment to Red Bull for 2027?Verstappen: I said there’s nothing to say.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Thursday, Verstappen spoke at length about van Langendonck, but declined to comment on his own futureAfter the press conference, it was time for Verstappen’s Dutch media session in the paddock, but there too he immediately made his position clear.When one of the Dutch journalists jokingly remarked that during the session Verstappen would mainly be grilled about his future, he instantly replied: “I’m not going to say anything about it anyway, so it would be over pretty quickly!”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLater in the session, the question was subtly raised whether Verstappen had at least made his decision privately. The four-time world champion insisted that was not the case.”No, I’m just busy trying to make sure we take the right steps here,” he said. “Outside of that, I had my sister’s wedding as well, so everything will come naturally. That’s always been the case.”He added there is no deadline in his mind to provide clarity: “No, not necessarily.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt is well known that the exit clause in Verstappen’s contract relates to his