As Formula 1 presents itself for regulation 2026, speculation around the future of Max Verstappen continues to intensify. The quadruple world champion, under contract with Red Bull Racing until 2028, kept his options open in the middle of an increasing uncertainty within the team.
Recent developments have fueled chatter that Verstappen could move to Mercedes in the near future. While many assumed that he could be released in 2025, the new ideas of Erik Van Haren from De Telegraaf and Ted Kravitz of Sky Sports suggest the opposite.
According to these latest reports, Verstappen could remain in Red Bull throughout the 2026 season. The report by Dutch journalist F1 van Haren was shared by RRB Daily on X (formerly Twitter), declaring:
“🚨 Max’s talks with Toto Wolff in the background do not mean that a transfer to Mercedes after this season is definitely in the pipeline according to @erikvharen”
Fans did not retain their reflections on the report. With 2026 to inaugurate radical modifications of the design of the F1 car and engine regulations, Max Verstappen could position itself as an observer before making a decisive career movement, as a fan wrote:
“It’s plan B”
While Max can stay in Red Bull for the moment, if the team’s post-châtrice leadership or the new GM engine project is weakening, a visit to Mercedes in 2027 remains very on the table. Some fans, however, have not been impressed by the approach.
“So he is ready to risk losing WC from another driver (2026). Understanding,” wrote a fan.
“Nothing is certain with Merc. But staying with a new vulnerable engine developer makes no sense,” wrote another.
“Red Bull is a disaster. Next year is the same,” said another.
Others were simply relieved that he did not yet jump from a ship.
A fan has suggested the biggest implications for the Mercedes, joking range of pilots:
“Explanation: Mercedes extended the Russell contract.”
The reports also noted that nothing concrete had left talks with Mercedes and Toto Wolff. And Max Verstappen will decide on his long -term future once he has observed how the next generation of engines takes place on the ground.
Max Verstappen is likely to stay in 2026 while F1 enters a crucial turning point: reports
In the current state of things, Max Verstappen loses adhesion on the title of Formula 1 pilots. It is 69 points behind Oscar Piastri, with 58 points to be won through the Belgian and Hungarian prize for the big ones before the summer break. McLaren has so far dominated with a 288 -point lead on Red Bull.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s internal storm started with the brutal dismissal of Christian Horner, ending a 20 -year mandate that supervised the Verstappen climb. While Max paid tribute to Horner on social networks, his father Jos had long been critical, warning in 2024 that Red Bull would collapse if Horner remained. Now the team is sailing in a new chapter under the boss of the Laurent Mekies team.
Ted Kravitz shared an intriguing discussion with Horner after a Sky Sports broadcast:
“He said:” There is no guarantee that Mercedes will be the best engine next year, what people should do is see what is going on in 2026, then decide for 2027 “… If Oliver Mintzlaff thinks they brought Max’s services for next year by embarking on a even worse place.“”
The long -term Verstappen’s long -term contract can suggest stability, but a performance clause and its dominant position in sport give it the waiting effect. As the summer break approaches, it is likely that the Dutch camp will use the results of SPA and Hungary to reassess before going to key closed negotiations.
Max Verstappen may not be fully engaged in the future of Red Bull or abandoned it, keeping the “Plan B” well at hand.
Edited by Tushar Bahl
