An F1 reporter has suggested that Max Verstappen knows where he will be driving next season.
Verstappen’s Red Bull future has been in doubt for a number of months as he considered a move to Mercedes. The four-time world champion’s Red Bull is falling further back in the field as it loses ground to the championship-leading McLaren.
| Position | Constructors' Standings | Points |
| 1 | McLaren Racing | 460 |
| 2 | Scuderia Ferrari | 222 |
| 3 | Mercedes-AMG Petronas | 210 |
| 4 | Red Bull Racing | 172 |
Whether Verstappen will be driving for Red Bull or Mercedes next season has been the biggest subject of speculation in F1. It would be one of the biggest driver moves in F1 history. An F1 reporter said that all signs currently point in one direction.
Max Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in 2026, says F1 reporter
Verstappen will be driving for his current team, Red Bull, next season, says F1 reporter Lawrence Barretto.
Speaking on Formula One’s Weekend Warm-Up, he said, “When you talk to people within the paddock and within the team itself, it seems next year, he’s going to be at Red Bull. The question now is becoming where he’s going to be from 2027 onwards.”
George Russell said Verstappen was in talks with Mercedes at Austria, kick-starting the speculation. Barretto said that Russell’s mood when he arrived at the Belgian Grand Prix could be a hint at Verstappen’s future.
He continued, “Maybe that’s why George Russell’s demeanour today was a little more jovial. The Austrian stressful weekend that he had, where it looked like he thought he was going to lose his seat, seems to have ebbed away.
“It feels like it’s moving in a direction where Max is going to stay put at least for next year, and the conversations we need to have are what does the 2027 driver market look like?”
Verstappen and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff reportedly met in Sardinia after the British Grand Prix, shortly after Red Bull fired Christian Horner. Barretto said those discussions were most likely about the Verstappen signing for 2027.
He explained, “If they are talking about 2027, of course, they’re going to be talking now. So if they were talking on their boats in Sardinia, it doesn’t necessarily mean they were talking about 2026. Drivers are talking four, five, six years ahead of what they’re doing.”
Max Verstappen’s release clause can be triggered at Spa
Reports have emerged that Verstappen’s release clause can be triggered after this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull until 2028, which is the biggest obstacle in Mercedes’ pursuit of the Dutchman.
However, if Verstappen is fourth or below in the standings by the end of July his release clause will be activated and he will be free to leave. Ironically, it’s Russell who is the only driver who can overtake him.
| Position | Drivers' Championship | Points |
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | 234 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | 226 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | 165 |
| 4 | George Russell | 147 |
Russell is 18 points behind him in the Drivers’ Championship, so it is unlikely to happen. However, a win for Russell and a finish outside of the points for Verstappen would be enough to push him down to fourth.