Max Verstappen’s Mercedes saga has taken a surprising turn, as the four-time world champion targets a Red Bull departure.
Red Bull are in crisis. They sacked Team Principal Christian Horner, their car’s performance continues to fall back in the running order, and all signs point towards a difficult 2026 with their new power unit.
| Position | Constructors' Standings | Points |
| 1 | McLaren Racing | 460 |
| 2 | Scuderia Ferrari | 222 |
| 3 | Mercedes-AMG Petronas | 210 |
| 4 | Red Bull Racing | 172 |
Verstappen wants out of the drama, according to reports, and the Mercedes board have been considering whether to make the move for the driver. It seems a decision has now been made.
Toto Wolff is out on Max Verstappen move, ‘we want to continue with George and Kimi’
It was rumoured that Toto Wolff and Verstappen met in Sardinia recently, as both of their private jets landed there during the three-week break between Silverstone and the Belgium Grand Prix.
Mercedes and Verstappen appeared to be nearing a deal after George Russell revealed that the two were in talks in Austria, but Team Principal Toto Wolff has, for the first time, made a definitive statement in support of his current drivers.
Austrian broadcaster ORF, he said, “Discussions have been taking place over the last weeks and months, so they are all up to date,” Wolff said.
“The direction of travel is definitely that we want to continue with George [Russell] and Kimi [Antonelli]. That is the absolute priority. But you can’t look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don’t think there will be any big surprises.”
The Austrian went on to dismiss claims that he met with Verstappen in Sardinia, putting their presence on the island down to coincidence.
He continued, “If you spend your holidays close to each other, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to work together in Formula 1. We have always gotten along well, and by chance we like to spend our holidays at the same places.”
Max Verstappen looks set for a bleak 2026 with Red Bull
Jenson Button warned Verstappen against a Mercedes move, but it looks like he’s faced with that reality.
Under the new Red Bull Team Principal, Laurent Mekies, early signs for the new regulations are not bright. Reports say that the brand new Red Bull power unit project is not off to the greatest start, and they are some way behind Mercedes, who are reportedly the early front-runners.
Verstappen has proven this season that he can extract the maximum from a car that is off the pace. However, without a car capable of winning his fifth Drivers’ Championship, he is certain to grow even more frustrated with his current team.
Verstappen’s contract expires in 2028, so unless a team is willing to shell out a substantial fee, he will be stuck with the Bulls for another three seasons.