Formula 1 fans are buzzing with one big question: could Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion and Red Bull Racing’s top driver, switch sides and join Mercedes?

It sounds like a wild rumor, but there’s more to it than just gossip. Let’s break down everything that’s been happening, what led to the current situation, and why a Verstappen-to-Mercedes move in 2026 might be on the table.

How the Verstappen-Mercedes Story First Emerged

Back in early 2024, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff faced a serious blow: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton announced he was leaving the team to join Ferrari for the 2025 season. It was one of the biggest shocks in recent F1 history and left a huge gap in the Mercedes line-up.

Names like Kimi Antonelli, Valtteri Bottas, Esteban Ocon, and Mick Schumacher were floated as possible replacements. Even Max Verstappen was briefly linked to the seat. But in the end, it was young Italian star Antonelli who got the nod for 2025.

Now, as the 2025 season progresses, Verstappen’s name is once again being linked to Mercedes—only this time, the speculation feels much more serious.

Trouble Inside Red Bull: What Went Wrong?

To understand why Verstappen might leave Red Bull, you have to look at everything that’s happened behind the scenes in the last 18 months.

After dominating the sport in 2022 and 2023, Red Bull’s dream team—Verstappen, Christian Horner, Sergio Perez, Jonathan Wheatley, and Adrian Newey—began to unravel in 2024.

In February 2024, team principal Christian Horner was involved in a scandal with a female team member. Although he remained in charge after an internal review, the controversy did major damage to the team’s image and morale.

Soon after:

• Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s legendary car designer, left to join Aston Martin.
• Jonathan Wheatley, the sporting director, departed to become team principal at Sauber.
• Will Courtenay, Red Bull’s strategy head, moved to McLaren.
• And perhaps most notably, Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, began a public feud with Horner.

Jos Verstappen openly criticized Horner’s leadership and was even seen chatting with Toto Wolff in the paddock after the Bahrain Grand Prix, fueling rumors about Max possibly leaving the team.

Read more news: Need Mechanic News

Things reached another awkward point at the Austrian GP when Max accused Horner of blocking him from driving a classic Red Bull RB8 during the Legends Parade. Although they later patched things up, Verstappen’s presence at team events has noticeably dropped.

Red Bull’s Struggles on Track in 2025

While Verstappen has continued to shine individually—winning at Imola and Suzuka—Red Bull has fallen off its once-dominant pace. The team currently sits third in the Constructors’ Championship, and Verstappen is only third in the Drivers’ standings, trailing leader Oscar Piastri by 61 points.

To make matters worse, there’s been chaos surrounding Red Bull’s second driver seat. Sergio Perez was dropped after 2025. Liam Lawson replaced him briefly but was demoted after just two poor races. Yuki Tsunoda was then promoted, but he’s also struggled to match Verstappen.

Max hasn’t hidden his frustration. He liked a post by Dutch former driver Giedo van der Garde criticizing Red Bull for how it handled Lawson. Verstappen even defended Tsunoda after a poor showing in Spain, suggesting that the real issue was the car, not the driver.

These signs point to growing tension between Verstappen and Red Bull’s decision-makers.

Mercedes: A Door Left Slightly Open?

Meanwhile, at Mercedes, George Russell has stepped up in Hamilton’s absence and had a strong start to the 2025 season with four podiums in the first eight races.

By midseason, Toto Wolff hinted that Russell was close to renewing his contract. Then Russell won in Canada, which many thought sealed the deal.

But shortly after, things took a strange turn.

During an interview with Sky Sports, Russell himself admitted that Mercedes was in talks with Max Verstappen. That single comment sparked a wave of rumors. And on Tuesday night, Sky Sports Italy even reported that Verstappen had agreed to join Mercedes.

That report was quickly challenged by Dutch journalist Erik van Haren—who is closely connected to Verstappen’s camp—saying there was no official offer yet.

When asked about the rumor, a Mercedes spokesperson told autoevolution they wouldn’t be commenting on “speculation filling a void,” and emphasized they still stood by Wolff’s previous statements. But they didn’t deny it either.

So, where does that leave George Russell? With most top teams like McLaren and Ferrari locked in through 2027, and Red Bull possibly looking to replace Verstappen, a direct swap might be the only viable scenario.

Why Would Verstappen Leave Red Bull?

Here are the main reasons Verstappen might walk away:

Loss of Key Staff – Newey, Wheatley, and other senior figures are gone. The environment isn’t the same.

Internal Conflicts – His father’s feud with Horner and Max’s dissatisfaction with management decisions have created serious tension.

On-Track Struggles – The team’s performance has declined. Red Bull is no longer the clear favorite.

New Regulations – 2026 brings a whole new set of rules, including a switch to a new Ford power unit. Verstappen may not be confident in Red Bull’s future competitiveness.

Exit Clause – Rumors suggest Verstappen can walk away from his contract if he isn’t in a top championship position by the summer break (August 3, after the Hungarian GP). Right now, he’s third—possibly triggering that clause.

Ed’s Take: The More Time Passes, the More Likely Verstappen Leaves

Max Verstappen has shown extreme loyalty to Red Bull. He stayed through tough seasons and led the team to multiple world championships. But loyalty has its limits.

At 27, Verstappen is entering the prime years of his career. If he feels Red Bull can no longer deliver a winning car, he may not want to stick around through a rebuild, especially with uncertain regulations and a new engine partner coming in 2026.

If Verstappen feels that Mercedes offers a better long-term project—and if Toto Wolff is truly offering a leadership role alongside Antonelli—it could be the perfect time to jump ship.

For George Russell, this would be a cruel blow. After carrying Mercedes through a tricky season, losing his seat due to team politics would be devastating.

And for Toto Wolff, this may be his final opportunity to land the driver he missed out on in 2014. If he succeeds, Mercedes could build a dream duo with Verstappen and Antonelli, aiming for domination under the new rules.

Final Thoughts

As we head into the British Grand Prix this weekend, all eyes will be on both Verstappen and Russell. The paddock is full of whispers, and one thing is clear: the drama is far from over.

Whether Verstappen stays or goes, the decision could change the course of F1 for years to come.

Stay tuned for updates—and buckle up. This silly season might be the wildest yet.

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