

All good relationships come to an end, and it seem like Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s partnership may be coming to an end after this year. With the British Grand Prix closing in this weekend, multiple reports inform the 4-time Formula 1 world champions has expressed openness to leaving Red Bull racing at the end of 2025, with Mercedes emerging as the leading contender for his services in 2026.
The revelation came amid a season where more than one uncomfortbale situations have happened for the Dutch driver and the Austrian constructor. Add the unpleasant way that mexican driver Sergio Pérez left the team last year, plus a video of him saying he knows for a fact that ‘Red Bull regrets his departure’, and it’s difficult not to imagine what may happen with Verstappen. Discussions have been reportedly ‘intensifying” between the Dutch’s team and Mercedes towards this weekend.
Max Verstappen’s move to Mercedes would shake F1 grid
The still Red Bull’s driver potential switch would be seismic in F1, effectively swapping one championship-winning powerhouse for another. For Mercedes, which has struggled to consistently challenge Red Bull over the past few seasons, landing Verstappen could reset the competitive balance. Teaming him up with up and coming, talented George Russell would create a fierce and competitive duo that could elevate the team to the top of the category.
The other side of it is the fact that there have been multiple conflicts between the Dutch and English dirvers, spanning from 2022 into this season. What could be more attractive for fans than watching Russell and Verstappen fighting on track with the same car? Pure cinema. As for Red Bull Racing, the team would be significantly weakened. Losing a talent of that caliber could leave them scramblign to redefine their strategy and retain a front-line position in the constructors’ championship for years to come.
Factors that may influence Verstappen’s move to Mercedes
Just as it happenes every year in F1, next season will come with new regulations. Engine and technical rules are undergoing a significant overhaul in 2026. Verstappen may be seeing this as an opportune moment to shif teams and capture a renewed competitive advantage. Balancing both the Honda motor and chassis responsibilites has put intense pressure on Red Bull in 2025. Mercedes-manufactured engines and it’s optimized setup could offer the 4-time world champion a more stable platform for the future.
With that, the human factor has to come into consideration also. Worn out relationships with team executives and CEO Christian Horner are certainly evident; a fresh challenge in a different environment may appeal not just to Verstappen, but to Red Bull too, even with both parties leaving a blue-chip partnership. Sometimes a fresh start is all is needed to reset goals and future direction.
British Grand Prix this weekend
The rumor adds thrilling narrative tension to the race this weekend. Toto Wolff and Mercedes officials have not said a word of the matter, while Red Bull and Verstappen have refused to fuel the speculation. It will for a fact be something that media will ask about on press conferences in the coming days. One thing is certain: the F1 world will be watching every move.
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