F1: Red Bull's Max Verstappen Open To Mercedes Switch For 2026 Season | Report

Last Updated:July 02, 2025, 21:43 IST

Max Verstappen may leave Red Bull for Mercedes in 2026. Talks are intensifying, but no official approach has been made, says Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

Formula One: Max Verstappen at Red Bull (AP)

Max Verstappen is open to leaving Red Bull to join Mercedes for the 2026 Formula One season, with talks intensifying ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, as per reports.

Speculation about Verstappen’s future increased at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend when George Russell told Sky Sports that he has not received a new Mercedes contract beyond 2025 because the team has “ongoing conversations" with Verstappen.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed that “conversations behind closed doors" were taking place. As per a Sky Sports report, talks have intensified, with Verstappen willing to free himself from his current Red Bull contract, which runs until 2028.

However, the Mercedes board is unsure if signing Verstappen is necessary, given they could have the car to beat following the new regulations in 2026 and may not need the driver who is widely seen as the best on the grid.

Sky Sports News understands Verstappen has not indicated he wants to leave Red Bull early, nor has there been an official approach from Mercedes for the reigning F1 world champion. But Verstappen has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave Red Bull after this season if he is not in the top four of the Drivers’ Championship at the start of the F1 summer break, which follows the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 3.

Is Verstappen Moving From Red Bull To Mercedes?

Christian Horner had commented on the reports that Mercedes is having “conversations" with Verstappen about a possible switch, calling it “a lot of noise".

“We are very clear with the contract we have with Max until 2028. Anything is entirely speculative that has been said. We tend to not pay too much attention to it.

“I can imagine George is frustrated that he hasn’t been given a contract yet, but that’s between him and his team.

“The situation with Max – we know clearly where we are at, as does Max. Everything is subject to noise and obviously within the contract remains confidential to the two parties."

Amid the continued speculation, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff asserted that it was still the case he and Russell wanted to continue the partnership, but recognised the team still needed to have certain conversations.

“[We’re] absolutely keen to continue the relationship," said Wolff in Austria.

“Everything goes its normal course – we have agreed on timings and we’re absolutely within that framework, and it’s clear silly season starts now."

“Some conversations you just simply need to have, but it doesn’t change my fundamental opinion about how the team is going to go forwards."

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...

Read More

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News sports F1: Red Bull's Max Verstappen Open To Mercedes Switch For 2026 Season | Report