An update on Max Verstappen’s future has emerged among reports of a potential ground-breaking move to Mercedes.
The four-time world champion’s Red Bull has been underperforming this season, leaving him 61 points off the top of the driver standings and leaving his team fourth in the constructors’ standings.
Verstappen is one of Red Bull’s best ever drivers, but it has been rumoured that he could be eyeing a move elsewhere.
| Position | Constructors' Standings | Points |
| 1 | McLaren Racing | 417 |
| 2 | Scuderia Ferrari | 210 |
| 3 | Mercedes-AMG Petronas | 209 |
| 4 | Red Bull Racing | 162 |
| 5 | Williams F1 Team | 55 |
At the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes driver George Russell and Team Principal Toto Wolff confirmed that they had been in talks with Verstappen about a future move, and now there has been a further development to what could be the biggest driver move in Formula One history.
Talks with Max Verstappen are “concrete”, but Mercedes board unconvinced
According to a report from Sky Italia, Verstappen is close to joining Mercedes. They report that an offer has been made that the Dutchman would have accepted, but the team are yet to get full approval from the board for the move.
The board’s hesitation stems from an upcoming regulation change in 2026, which has the potential to shake up the F1 grid. Mercedes could have the fastest car regardless of their driver pairing.
They are reportedly happy with the performances of Russell, who would be ousted from his seat should Verstappen sign with the team. Russell is currently in talks with Mercedes for a contract renewal.
Verstappen is one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, however. Chances like this just don’t come around for team principals.
“But although we have a perfect line-up already, I would be a bad team boss if I didn’t deal with a four-time world champion, should he be available,” said Wolff.
He also went on to say that we can expect news soon, “We want to have clarity before the summer [break]”.
George Russell reacts to Max Verstappen Mercedes rumours
It was actually Russell who sparked the Verstappen talks in Austria, as the typically open and honest driver said it was only natural that his team would be talking to someone with Verstappen’s credentials.
It’s classy from Russell, who collided with the Dutchman in Spain in one of the many times Verstappen has lost his cool in recent years.
He told Sky F1, “As Mercedes, they want to be back on top, and if you’re going to be back on top you need to make sure you’ve got the best drivers, the best engineers, the best pit crew, and that’s what Mercedes are chasing.
“So, it’s only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing.”
Russell has been one of the most impressive performers on the Formula One grid this season, showing remarkable consistency. He’s missed out on the top five only twice and has stood on the podium five times, including a composed win at the Canadian Grand Prix.
That’s left him nine points behind Verstappen, fourth in the standings.
He told Motorsport.com: “Toto has made it clear to me that he thinks how I’m performing this year is as good as anybody.
| Position | Drivers' Championship | Points |
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | 216 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | 201 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | 155 |
| 4 | George Russell | 146 |
“I think there’s only one driver that you can debate in terms of performance – these are his words, these are not my words – so that’s why I have no concern about the future.
“But there are two seats at every team, and I guess he needs to think, who are those two drivers going to be for those two seats, and I guess that’s what the delay is.”
It’s a mature response from Russell, who, in truth, does not deserve to lose his seat. But drivers such as Verstappen become available scarcely in F1, and Mercedes cannot afford to let him slip through their fingers.