Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver for Red Bull Racing, has rejected speculation about a possible move to Mercedes in Formula 1. Despite Red Bull’s dominance in the sport in 2024, rumors emerged suggesting that Verstappen could make a surprising switch to a rival team. These rumors stemmed from the fallout of an investigation into misconduct allegations against Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Although Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing, tensions persisted within the team, with Verstappen’s father, Jos, hinting at the strain caused by Horner’s presence. However, Verstappen reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull, stating his intention to fulfill his contract until 2028. He emphasized the importance of retaining key team members for sustained performance and expressed his personal desire to see his journey with Red Bull through to the end.
Speculation surrounding Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes originated from the fact that Verstappen Sr. was photographed talking to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff in Bahrain. Wolff openly expressed his desire to hire Verstappen as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who is heading to Ferrari. He even stated that both teams would go to great lengths to lure Verstappen away from Red Bull. When asked about Wolff’s comments, Verstappen responded by saying that, while it doesn’t affect his decisions, it’s always good to hear such things. He acknowledged that there have been tense moments between him and Wolff due to the competitive nature of the sport, but there has always been mutual respect. Verstappen made it clear that these rumors don’t change anything for him personally.
When asked about the possibility of joining Mercedes in the future, Verstappen jokingly replied: “Any year! No, I don’t know. I can’t predict what will happen after 2028. I don’t know if I will stay in F1 or sign a new contract. At this moment, it’s uncertain.”
One aspect that has been raised regarding Verstappen’s possible departure from Red Bull is skepticism around the team’s power unit project. Red Bull has established its own Powertrains division to develop the new engine regulations that will be implemented in 2026. They have received support from the American automotive brand Ford. Despite the challenges ahead, Verstappen has full confidence in Red Bull’s ability to compete with established engine suppliers. He mentioned that, while there may be speculations and concerns, he doesn’t worry too much about it. Verstappen stays in close contact with Christian Horner, the team principal, and believes that everyone is working tirelessly on the project. He emphasized that it’s still early and they understand the enormity of the task. Verstappen acknowledged that beating well-established engine manufacturers won’t be easy, but they have a dedicated team working on the project and are excited about the future. Only time will tell how things will unfold.
