Max Verstappen has officially entered a multi-year partnership with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, confirming that his racing team will switch manufacturers ahead of the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season. The Max Verstappen Mercedes partnership marks a significant transition, as Verstappen Racing leaves its previous alliance with Aston Martin to join forces with Mercedes and 2Seas Motorsport.
Verstappen’s Request to Media Following Red Bull Finale
After concluding the most recent F1 season with a win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen, who narrowly missed securing his fifth consecutive drivers’ title in 2025 by just two points, addressed the media directly. He voiced his frustration with what he called “stupid questions” posed during his previous championship battle and emphasized his desire for a change in the approach taken by reporters as the 2026 season approaches. This directness reflects an ongoing tension following a turbulent year at Red Bull for the Dutchman, who has remained a headline-grabbing figure in the paddock.
Details of the New Mercedes Partnership
Verstappen Racing, founded and led by four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, has brokered a significant long-term agreement with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. This development sees the team’s GT World Challenge Europe campaign operated in partnership with 2Seas Motorsport, and introduces Mercedes machinery to their stable for the first time. This marks a departure from their previous collaboration with Aston Martin, which had brought them notable success, including a Gold Cup championship this year in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, credited to drivers Chris Lulham, Thierry Vermeulen, and Harry King.
Haas Addresses Concerns Over Toyota’s Role in Driver Selection
In other news involving major players around the Formula 1 landscape, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has clarified that the team’s new partnership with Toyota will be limited to technical and developmental support. Komatsu underscored that the agreement, which marked Toyota’s return to the F1 scene in 2024 after over a decade, will not compromise autonomy over driver selection within the Haas organization. The relationship between Haas and Toyota is primarily focused on enhancing engineering and design expertise, rather than direct influence on the competitive side.
Red Bull Faces Uncertainty as Longstanding Engineer Weighs Exit
Gianpiero Lambiase, longtime race engineer for Max Verstappen at Red Bull, is reportedly engaged in discussions with a rival Formula 1 team about a possible transfer. Lambiase has held a pivotal role in Verstappen’s career since joining forces in 2016, contributing to four world championship titles. These talks come amidst significant changes at Red Bull, following the departures of both Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, raising speculation about further instability within the team’s ranks.
Historic Missed Opportunity for Sauber and Lewis Hamilton
According to Sauber F1 founder Peter Sauber, Lewis Hamilton was once close to joining the Hinwil-based team—a move that could have altered the course of the sport’s history. Hamilton, now a Ferrari driver after previous stints with McLaren and Mercedes, was revealed to have seriously considered an offer from Sauber at one stage in his career, highlighting the unpredictable nature of F1 transfers and how they shape both personal and team legacies in the sport.
FIA Deputy Director Claire Dubbelman Set to Depart
Claire Dubbelman is anticipated to step down from her position as deputy race director at the International Automobile Federation (FIA), as her contract is set to expire on December 31, 2025. Dubbelman made history in 2024 as the first woman to take on this high-profile role in Formula 1. Her departure, as reported in Dutch media, marks the end of a groundbreaking but brief tenure that began only two years prior.
McLaren Sells 2026 Car at Record Auction Price
McLaren’s challenger for the 2026 Formula 1 season has been sold at auction for around £8.5 million, despite the car not yet having appeared on a single track. The new owner will be given a unique opportunity to meet key McLaren figures Zak Brown, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri at the team’s Woking base in 2026. In an unusual twist, the buyer will not receive the prized car for more than two years, an unprecedented arrangement even for the world of Formula 1 auctions.
The Max Verstappen Mercedes partnership signals a pivotal shift not only for Verstappen Racing but also within the broader motorsport industry. As teams announce new collaborations and face internal changes, and with high-profile figures like Claire Dubbelman and Gianpiero Lambiase contemplating exiting their current positions, Formula 1’s competitive landscape is poised for transformative years ahead, culminating in ongoing intrigue and heightened anticipation as the 2026 season draws near.
