Nelson Piquet Jr, who is Max Verstappen’s brother-in-law, recently raised doubts about the Red Bull driver’s supposed move to Mercedes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, reversing an earlier statement that suggested the transfer was imminent. Piquet Jr also speculated that Red Bull’s dismissal of team principal Christian Horner might have been a strategy to encourage Verstappen to remain with the team for next year.
Although Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, a performance-related clause could allow him to leave earlier, prompting widespread speculation about his future. The latest updates from insiders introduce uncertainty about whether Verstappen will indeed join Mercedes as his career progresses toward the 2026 season.
Contractual Conditions Could Influence Verstappen’s Move
Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull, officially valid through 2028, reportedly includes a provision tied to his championship ranking that could enable an early exit. If Verstappen finishes outside the top four in the Drivers’ Championship following the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, just before the summer break, he may be able to trigger this clause.
Currently sitting third in the Drivers’ standings, Verstappen holds an 18-point lead over George Russell, who is the most likely candidate to be replaced at Mercedes should Verstappen move there. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc trails further behind in fifth place.
Conflicting Reports Around Verstappen’s Next Team
Rumors surfaced last week suggesting that Ola Källenius, Mercedes’ CEO, had given the green light for Verstappen’s switch for the 2026 season. Nelson Piquet Jr had previously indicated that Verstappen was close to completing contract negotiations to join Mercedes, potentially replacing Russell, with a final decision expected soon.
Contradicting this, Piquet Jr now appears less certain about the move, hinting that Verstappen might have declined an offer from Mercedes altogether. Speaking on the Pelas Pistas podcast, Piquet Jr stated:
“Maybe he’s already signed [for Mercedes], but maybe he’s also already said no.”
He emphasized that Verstappen’s primary motivation is to be in the most competitive car, adding that the driver’s options are limited to Red Bull or Mercedes. Piquet Jr also speculated whether Horner’s removal from Red Bull was intended to persuade Verstappen to stay.
Questions About a Crucial Meeting in Sardinia
Following the most recent British Grand Prix, online reports alleged that Verstappen and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff met in Sardinia to finalize the driver’s move for 2026. However, the existence of such a meeting remains unclear.
Addressing these rumors, Piquet Jr downplayed the significance of their simultaneous presence on the island, noting:
“That’s just a place where people go on holiday.”
This comment suggests that any potential encounter between Verstappen and Wolff in Sardinia might have been coincidental rather than a formal negotiation.
Mercedes’ Readiness for New 2026 Regulations
Mercedes is considered well-prepared for the technical changes coming in 2026, which include a shift to 50 percent electrification, the use of fully sustainable fuels, and active aerodynamics. The Silver Arrows dominated F1 from 2014 onwards, securing eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ titles through Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
By contrast, Red Bull will introduce its own power units next season through the newly created Powertrains division, partnering with Ford, as Honda transitions to supply Aston Martin.
Recent reports point to Mercedes being the only manufacturer currently progressing well on the development of the 2026 power units, while competitors face significant challenges. Two rivals are believed to be far behind Mercedes in development, and one faces difficulties due to its choice of biofuel differing from others that use synthetic fuel. A final manufacturer involved in development remains largely a mystery.
Red Bull’s Perspective on Engine Development and Verstappen’s Future
Christian Horner, who recently stepped down as Red Bull’s team principal, acknowledged that Red Bull Powertrains is unlikely to outperform Mercedes on their first attempt during the 2026 season. Despite this, he confirmed that Red Bull remains committed to keeping Verstappen in the team for the long term, emphasizing the benefits of in-house engine production.
Horner stated:
“Things go in cycles and sport goes in cycles.
We’ve had two incredibly successful cycles in Formula 1 and what we want to do is build towards the next cycle.
Of course, we want that to be with Max, but we understand the pressure that there is next year with us coming in as a new power unit manufacturer.
The challenge of that is enormous. But we’ve got a hugely capable group of people. We’ve invested significantly. We’ve got a great culture within the team.
Who knows? To expect us to be ahead of Mercedes next year is [unrealistic].
It would be embarrassing for Mercedes if we were, or for any manufacturer.
But I think we’re going to be in a competitive position, potentially even to where we are today relative to our other PU manufacturers.
There’s everything to play for. What’s great is having it all under one roof; chassis engineers sitting next to engine engineers.
That shouldn’t be underestimated when you’re talking about the packaging.
When you’ve got the ability to have those groups communicating and talking with each other directly over a cup of coffee and within the same facility, that is priceless and that will pay dividends.”
He added:
“Maybe it won’t be in ’26, but ’27, ’28, and beyond, long term for Red Bull, 100 per cent it is the right thing.”
These remarks highlight Red Bull’s belief in its project despite the significant challenges it faces entering the new engine regulations era.
What Lies Ahead for Verstappen and Formula 1
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Max Verstappen’s Max Verstappen Mercedes contract update has major implications for the 2026 driver market and team dynamics. Whether Verstappen remains with Red Bull or switches to Mercedes will influence not only those two teams but potentially the overall competitive landscape of Formula 1.
For Mercedes, securing Verstappen could strengthen their position against Red Bull and Ferrari under the new regulations. Conversely, Red Bull aims to retain Verstappen’s championship-winning talent to continue its recent dominance. The final decision, expected soon, will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike as the sport approaches a significant technical shift and evolving franchise strategies.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Max Verstappen: Who has the bigger net worth in 2025? Lewis Hamilton, with a net worth of $300 million, surpasses Max Verstappen’s $200 million. Hamilton’s wealth is from Formula 1 earnings, endorsements, smart investments, and properties.
A. Is Max Verstappen wealthier than Lewis Hamilton?
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, announcing her name as Lily. He captioned the post with, “Welcome to the world, sweet Lily.”
Q. Does Max Verstappen prefer oversteer?
A. Max Verstappen is very fast when entering and going through corners, making the most of the Red Bull car’s tendency to tilt. He prefers his car to turn more sharply, but he still drives smoothly. This shows he naturally understands how far he can push the car.
