If you’re into F1, you have probably heard about the rumour. Yes, I’m talking about Max Verstappen, going to Mercedes in F1 2026. This has been the hottest topic in the whole paddock, and even though it seems unbelievable, I hope you remember how unbelievable Lewis Hamilton’s switch sounded to you just a year ago.
So, is he really leaving his beloved team, Red Bull, and joining his arch-enemy, George Russell, in Mercedes? And if he is, does that mean a bye-bye for Russell because, well, we all know that’s not a good idea. Or does it mean an end for Kimi Antonelli even before his career took a start? Let’s answer all your questions in detail.
Is Max Verstappen Really Leaving Red Bull?
Max Verstappen is currently under contract with Red Bull through 2028; however, a specific performance-based exit clause could be his way of leaving Red Bull. The clause allows him to leave the team if he is out of the top two drivers by halfway or late July. Since Max Verstappen is in the third position, and way behind Lando Norris, who currently holds the second position, many believe that this clause might have already been triggered.
Although the full contractual details remain confidential, reports suggest that the last race, the Austrian Grand Prix 2025, was the point that decides if the clause will be activated or not. And as we all know, he ended in DNF after a clash with rookie Kimi Antonelli that forced him off the track. I mean, nice move, Mercedes. This clash left many wondering if Toto Wolff, the man behind Mercedes, intentionally did this at Verstappen’s home race to activate the clause.
What Are They Saying About The Rumour?
The rumour has been going on for quite some time now, and neither Mercedes nor Max Verstappen has denied it yet. Although Verstappen did say that his focus is on Red Bull right now and no such thing with Merc is going on, “I have nothing to add. Nothing has changed from my side.”
On the other hand, Toto Wolff has been very open about the “talks” with Verstappen. He told the media, “We are exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future,” confirming the ongoing speculation.
Mercedes driver George Russell also admitted that, “Conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing,” which puts his own contract on a potential threat. Although he seems to be confident in his team and that Merc won’t “let him down.” Meanwhile, rookie driver Kimi Antonelli also remains confident in his seat, as he should be, because even if Verstappen is joining Mercedes in 2026, there can’t be a better team-mate than his favourite rookie, Kimi.
So, overall, no one is actually denying the speculations, and Russell’s contract expires at the end of 2025, which leaves a seat empty for Verstappen to take over.
Is Mercedes Dropping Hints?
Ahead of the British Grand Prix 2025, the new safety car was unveiled by Mercedes, and guess the color? Yes, it is orange. At this point, they’re not even trying to hide, as fans speculate. Orange is the national color of the Netherlands, Max Verstappen’s home, and he has been strongly associated with the color. So as soon as the car was unveiled, fans rushed to the special media to connect it with Verstappen.
Although Mercedes has officially stated that the color orange is to celebrate the 75th anniversary of F1 and to mark the launch of their new concept car, the AMG GT XX. This specific “orange” shade is sunset beam orange and is inspired by the historic Mercedes C111 vehicles from the 1960s and 1970s. This aims to showcase the brand’s past, present, and future, as said by Mercedes.
So What Happens If Max Verstappen Joins Mercedes?
If Max Verstappen joins Mercedes, it will be the most shocking shift in F1 after Lewis Hamilton’s switch. Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, has called this potential switch “serious competition.” He believes it can trigger Mercedes to be a dominant team again after Hamilton left.
Moreover, Red Bull would lose not only their star driver but also the sole force who makes the team still relevant. If Verstappen leaves, the team will lose its balance and could become a midfield team, as they don’t have any other good driver as of now. The team will actively seek an experienced driver, opening the doors for other legends like Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Perez, and Sebastian Vettel to return.
This switch also means George Russell’s contract will not be renewed at Mercedes, and he will potentially shift to another team, marking another major switch. So, whatever happens, one thing is for sure: the F1 2026 grid is probably going to look much different from what it is now.
So, Is Max Verstappen Leaving Or Not?
As likely as Max Verstappen is to leave Red Bull by the end of 2025, the chances are still uncertain. Since nobody knows the actual contract between Verstappen and Red Bull, the details of the performance-based exit clause are not clear. This means all these speculations could just be what they are: rumours. However, many top-tier media houses like Sky Sports and The Guardian are covering it very exclusively.
Sky Sports was also the first site to predict Lewis Hamilton’s switch in 2025 correctly, way before the official announcement. So, what does it tell us? They have strong sources, which makes their speculations accurate and reliable. No official confirmation has been live either from Red Bull or Max Verstappen, but if it is true, we are going to hear about it by the end of this month or early August. So hang on tight, as we await the most anticipated announcement of F1 2025.
Also Read: What’s Going On With Jorge Martin And Aprilia? All Questions Answered
