The loyalty of Max Verstappen towards Red Bull is too good to be true. He never skimps on the compliments for the team and is set to stay with the same for a longer time. However, the waters of F1 are stirring and altering swiftly.
And if we were to believe in the rumors, Verstappen might be considering Mercedes as an option for 2026. The 3x champ might not be publicly expressive, but several factors indicate this highly dramatic transfer.
Recently, there were rumors that Aston Martin might be recruiting Max Verstappen for 2026, especially since Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s former tech chief, would join them. However, recent reports suggest that Aston Martin is not among Verstappen’s top choices.
So, who are his preferred options? Mercedes could be the one! But the process is trickier than we can imagine. The Red Bull No. 1 will observe Mercedes’ 2025 developments. Then, a thorough comparison of performance and trends with Red Bull will follow.
However, the chances that once looked negative have a light of hope. Insiders like F1 royalty Eddie Jordan believe in a future marriage between Mercedes and Verstappen. The former team boss told F1-Insider.com:
“The unrest at Red Bull, the departures of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley cannot please Max and his father. In addition, Mercedes has turned the corner and is getting stronger and stronger. I would therefore be anything but surprised if Max moves to Mercedes in 2026.”
But for now, Max Verstappen will be driving for Red Bull, at least until 2025. Meanwhile, the Mercedes prodigy, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is all set to officially put on the Silver Arrows gear! The heir to Lewis Hamilton‘s historic legacy is finally ready to take over F1, and it is only a matter of time before Toto Wolff announces his new star.
For the time being, Kimi Antonelli is going to be George Russell‘s teammate at Mercedes, following Lewis Hamilton’s exit in 2025. The young Italian whom Toto Wolff had taken under his wings, looks more than ready for his F1 debut.
This means Verstappen has to wait a bit longer to become Russell’s partner. This also implies that Mercedes in turn also has to wait for the Dutchman to arrive. The Brackley-based team is expected to announce the 17-year-old’s entry around the Italian GP in Monza at the beginning of September.
Importantly, Hamilton has already blessed the protege. At Imola, he said: “Taking on a youngster would be [the right move]. If it was my job, my role, I’d probably take on Kimi.”
Meanwhile, both Red Bull and Verstappen will keep their eyes fixed on Mercedes’ growth (which has already become an eyesore!). Moreover, the recent flak that the energy drink makers have faced due to the internal disruption, has disappointed the Verstappens.
Newey’s exit, then Jonathan Wheatley’s departure, allegations on Christian Horner, and whatnot! On top of that, Red Bull doesn’t have the most dominant car anymore. All this would play a major role in luring Max Verstappen towards Mercedes. Moreover, Toto Wolff claims his 2026 engines would be similar to their 2014 championship-winning ones.
Max wants to be the fastest man on the track. And currently, Red Bull isn’t the best spot to be in. However, new upgrades are expected in Zandvoort. If they work well then the ‘star boy’ could consider his team. But if the downfall persists, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Verstappen decides to switch sides.
Mercedes is the best option he has on his radar, and Toto Wolff is more than eager to have the ace in his team. The upcoming races after the break would be crucial as they could make or break things between Max and Red Bull.
