PADDOCK INSIDER: All the stories that got the Spa paddock talking

Max Verstappen's future was the hot topic of conversation as the Formula 1 paddock reconvened at Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix. But there were plenty of other intriguing stories bubbling at the penultimate race weekend before the summer shutdown.

Verstappen keeps his cards close to his chest

Four-time World Champion Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull that runs until the end of 2028, but the Dutchman has yet to confirm whether or not he will stick with them until the end of that term.

What Verstappen does next has been more of a talking point recently after he suffered mechanical failures in successive race weekends in Austria and Great Britain, while it also emerged his management had spoken to McLaren about the future.