Amid growing speculation about Max Verstappen possibly joining Mercedes in 2026, team principal Toto Wolff has firmly dismissed these rumors, emphasizing that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli remain the team’s main focus. The confirmation came during the downtime between the British and Belgian Grands Prix as Wolff addressed the uncertainty surrounding Mercedes’ driver lineup after 2025.
Mercedes faces a crucial moment as the contracts of their current drivers, Russell and Antonelli, expire at the end of the 2025 season. Both drivers have expressed confidence in extending their agreements, but with no official announcements made, the situation has stirred early Formula 1 chatter. At the same time, Verstappen’s future with Red Bull Racing has become increasingly uncertain due to recent team upheavals and performance issues.
Why Max Verstappen’s Move to Mercedes Seems Unlikely for 2026
Speculation intensified after evidence surfaced suggesting Wolff and Verstappen may have met privately, fueled by reports of their jets and yachts seen near the same locations in Sardinia. Fans and insiders quickly linked these sightings to potential contract talks. Slovenian broadcaster ORF captured Wolff’s response ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, where he acknowledged that discussions had occurred but made it clear that continuing with Russell and Antonelli is the team’s “absolute priority.”
“Discussions have been taking place over the last weeks and months, so they are all up to date,”
Wolff stated. He continued,
“The direction of travel is definitely that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That is the absolute priority.”
Yet he also did not close the door completely on Verstappen, adding,
“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.”
Wolff also addressed the absurdity of recent rumors featuring Photoshop collages and inaccurate flight tracking, saying,
“What’s new is that people are doing photo collages with airplanes. We’ve never had that before.”
He downplayed the notion that holiday proximity meant a professional partnership, explaining,
“But if you spend your holidays close to each other, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to work together in Formula 1.”
Wolff confirmed a friendly personal relationship:
“We have always gotten along well and by chance we like to spend our holidays at the same places.”
Red Bull’s Growing Challenges and Verstappen’s Future Prospects
Max Verstappen’s dominant trajectory with Red Bull Racing began through the team’s junior program and has been remarkable, securing four consecutive World Driver Championships. Nonetheless, the 2024 season revealed cracks in Red Bull’s competitive edge. Key personnel departures—including Christian Horner’s recent dismissal as CEO and team principal—have compounded ongoing struggles with car upgrades, allowing rivals such as Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari to win races.
Although Verstappen remained the top contender by clinching two Grand Prix wins early in 2025, Red Bull’s overall position has declined sharply. The team now trails in fourth place in the constructors’ championship, heavily reliant on Verstappen’s points. These internal changes suggest leadership is eager to redefine the team’s direction, potentially to sustain Verstappen’s long-term career.
Despite his past statements about wanting to finish his career exclusively with Red Bull, Verstappen’s future may require reconsideration to stay competitive in the evolving F1 ecosystem. Even with Mercedes signaling commitment to Russell and Antonelli for 2026, Verstappen’s options in 2027 and beyond remain open and uncertain.
The Broader Implications for Formula 1’s 2026 Driver Market
The turbulence surrounding Max Verstappen’s status and Mercedes’ plans exposes the fluid and high-stakes nature of Formula 1 contracts and team strategies during the “silly season.” While Wolff’s comments dampened immediate rumors of a Verstappen switch, they confirm the careful negotiations underway as teams finalize their lineups for the next championship cycle.
Russell and Antonelli represent the future Mercedes hopes to build around, but Verstappen’s undeniable talent and potential availability keep the door ajar for later developments in his career. The unfolding driver market will significantly influence team performances and championship battles as Formula 1 moves closer to 2026 and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Max Verstappen’s baby gender?
A. On May 2, Verstappen, who is 27, shared two pictures of his newborn daughter on Instagram. In the caption, he announced her name is Lily. “Welcome to the world, sweet Lily,” he wrote.
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Verstappen and Piquet recently announced the birth of their baby girl, Lily. Before the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, they shared they were expecting. Lily joins as a little sister to Piquet’s daughter, Penelope.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. His partner, Kelly Piquet, is the daughter of former world champion Nelson Piquet. She has a daughter named Penelope from a previous relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen has developed a strong bond with Penelope. When questioned if parenthood could affect his racing, he mentioned this relationship as an example.
