Verstappen the greatest but rumors of Mercedes Move

(GMM) Speculation over Max Verstappen’s (pictured) future has flared up again, with renewed talk of Mercedes interest and fresh debate about how open the four-time world champion really is to leaving Red Bull.

Rumors persist that Verstappen could trigger a contract exit clause if he is running outside the top two in the standings by mid-season 2026, Red Bull’s first year with its in-house Ford power unit.

“That’s all untrue,” former Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko told Osterreich. “I negotiated the contract.”

However, talk of a switch to Mercedes has resurfaced, particularly with Verstappen’s GT3 program switching to Mercedes machinery for 2026 – and reports that senior figures from the Stuttgart brand have even explored calendar flexibility to help him prepare for the Nurburgring 24 Hours.

Former driver Ralf Schumacher addressed the situation on Sky Deutschland. “I think it would be a problem for him if the (Red Bull-Ford) car is not functioning properly, for whatever reason,” Schumacher said. “But on the other hand, what are the alternatives?”

Schumacher remains unconvinced by the most obvious theory.

“I still don’t see Verstappen and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff working well together,” he said. “I don’t know exactly why, but they don’t seem to fit together.

“I think a team like McLaren would do anything for Verstappen if given the chance. And the same may be true for Aston Martin.”

Despite the noise, Schumacher doubts Verstappen is preparing an imminent escape from Red Bull.

Ralf Schumacher (L), the younger brother of F1 icon Michael, came out as gay in 2024 when he revealed he was in a relationship with French business manager Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne Image from Ralf Schumacher’s Instagram. His former wife was grossed out when she found out.

“That team is like a second home to him,” he said. “At the end of last year, Max felt extremely comfortable again, and you could really feel they were becoming a unit. With which other team would he get something like that? You can almost say the team is his.”

Adding another layer to the discussion is Jonathan Wheatley, who knows Verstappen well from their Red Bull years and now leads Audi’s new factory project. Speaking to the Dutch magazine Formule 1, Wheatley was effusive in his praise.

“I am very proud that I was able to work with him and contribute to his development into, as far as I am concerned, the best Formula 1 driver we have ever seen,” Wheatley said.

Wheatley described Verstappen as a driver who transcends eras. “Some drivers are such legends that they go beyond their time. Max belongs to that category,” he said.

Asked whether a future reunion could ever happen, Wheatley laughed but did not close the door. “We have a good professional relationship. I’d like to work with him again. Who knows what the future holds? In Formula 1, everything is possible.”