Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 champion, has hinted at the possibility of extending his stay with Red Bull beyond 2028, despite previously suggesting he might retire once his current contract expires. However, the Dutchman didn’t shy away from keeping his options open, subtly reminding Red Bull that he could jump ship if the circumstances align.
Verstappen’s current deal, signed after his controversial 2021 title win against Lewis Hamilton, ties him to the Milton Keynes outfit until 2028. While the champion has often spoken about stepping away when his contract ends, 2024 has raised fresh concerns for Red Bull boss Christian Horner. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has openly expressed interest in Verstappen, attempting to lure him as a future replacement for Hamilton.
When asked about his future, Verstappen didn’t rule out a move to Mercedes—especially with the anticipated regulation changes in 2026 and the potential strength of Mercedes’ engine. He remained ambiguous about his long-term plans, despite Red Bull securing a significant contract boost ahead of the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
“At the moment, anything is possible. It’s very easy to change teams,” Verstappen told Planet F1. “But I don’t want my career to be marked by that. I don’t want to be part of four or five different teams. I want to feel at home. Changing teams is not my thing and is not something I am concerned with at this stage of my career.”
Despite these reassuring words, the tension lingers. Toto Wolff’s flirtation with Verstappen throughout the 2024 season fueled speculation, especially as Red Bull’s dominance took a hit post-2024 Chinese Grand Prix, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes closing the gap. Nevertheless, Verstappen’s reaffirmation of his commitment to Red Bull for the 2025 season appears to have calmed the storm, at least temporarily.
Mercedes, too, has seemingly moved on, opting to promote their young star, Kimi Andrea Antonelli, as the future face of the team instead of pushing further for Verstappen’s signature. The decision marks the end of a season-long saga between the two parties, with Wolff now backing his current drivers, George Russell and Antonelli, while making it clear that his focus remains on his own team.
“We’re sitting back,” Wolff told Motorsport.com. “I think I’ve expressed it before, and we have a similar view also from Max’s side. You’ve got to put faith in your drivers or in your team. You need to give it the maximum support you can to make it a success. And only if things go really wrong, you will consider other opportunities.”
Wolff added, “For me, it’s like flirting outside whilst you’re making your relationship work. It doesn’t work, I’m not flirting outside.”
For now, the Verstappen-Mercedes courtship appears to have ended. But with F1’s ever-changing dynamics, and Verstappen leaving the door slightly ajar, nothing is off the table as the sport gears up for its next evolution.
