There are rumors circulating that Max Verstappen is in negotiations with Mercedes to potentially join their team. This comes after the surprising move of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari. However, Verstappen is currently under contract with Red Bull until 2028, so he is likely to stay with them. However, the three-time world champion may consider a move if Mercedes offers better opportunities in the future.
Amidst these rumors, former F1 driver Robert Doornbos claimed that Verstappen has already had discussions with Mercedes executives about a possible future move. He also mentioned that the plans for Mercedes power units in 2026 were a crucial topic in these conversations.
Doornbos also emphasized that Verstappen is aware of the partnership between Red Bull and Ford for power units in 2026. He believes that the 2026 season will be crucial and there may be significant developments happening behind the scenes, possibly leading to news in April. However, Doornbos did not explicitly mention Verstappen’s involvement in these developments.
If Verstappen joins Mercedes, this would open up a spot at Red Bull. The team’s strong performance and competitiveness make it a tempting option for any driver. Giedo van der Garde suggests that if a spot opens up, Carlos Sainz may be a strong candidate to replace Verstappen. He also hints that Sainz should seize the opportunity if he has the chance to drive for the best team.
However, van der Garde acknowledges that as long as the three-time world champion is part of the team, it is unlikely that Sainz will be called up by Red Bull. The two drivers had a contentious season as teammates at Toro Rosso almost ten years ago. Van der Garde also suggests that Verstappen may stay at Red Bull for another two years if Sergio Perez continues to perform well.
Despite the rumors, Max Verstappen will continue racing for Red Bull and will evaluate the opportunities presented to him. Mercedes recently expressed interest in Kimi Antonelli as a possible replacement for Hamilton. This sets the stage for an intriguing transfer season in the coming weeks.
