Jos Verstappen, father of Formula 1 star Max Verstappen, has vehemently denied rumors circulating about his son’s intentions to switch to Mercedes for the 2026 F1 season. This assertion was made on March 8, 2025, amid growing speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull Racing, the team he has been contracted with until the end of 2028.
The backdrop of these rumors includes Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile departure from Mercedes to Ferrari, which left the latter on the hunt for a suitable replacement. Mercedes eventually chose young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to take on Hamilton’s role. Despite this change, the speculation surrounding Verstappen’s exit from Red Bull has ramped up, particularly as the team has faced challenges with competitiveness and internal tensions led by Jos Verstappen against Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
Horner confirmed during the recent Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort — where the Verstappen saga has been particularly prominent — the existence of specific clauses within Verstappen's contract. These stipulations may allow him to leave Red Bull before 2028 if the team fails to provide competitive machinery. "If he ranks below third place after a significant portion of the 2025 season, he could activate the exit clause,” said Horner, hinting at the precarious nature of Red Bull’s performance.
Rumors extending beyond Mercedes have surfaced implicatively pointing to Aston Martin as another prospective team for Verstappen. This consideration arises from Aston Martin’s recent acquisition of engine manufacturer Honda and F1 designer Adrian Newey, both of whom were key players behind Red Bull’s championship success. Nevertheless, amid the swirling speculations, Aston Martin has strictly denied any negotiations concerning the transfer of Verstappen.
Adding to the complexity, former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan remarked last year about Mercedes' interest, claiming discussions took place about assembling a "fighting fund" to accommodate Verstappen's high salary. Toto Wolff, the current Mercedes boss, refuted such claims, stating conversations ceased when Verstappen expressed his desire to continue with Red Bull, leading Mercedes to finalize their contract with Antonelli.
Looking forward to the upcoming 2025 season, George Russell is set to take the reins as Mercedes team leader, stepping up following Hamilton's departure. Paired with Antonelli, Russell faces his own scrutiny as he enters the final year of his contract with Mercedes. Toto Wolff has openly expressed interest in signing Verstappen away from Red Bull, which could jeopardize the positions of either Russell or Antonelli within the team.
Christian Klien, notable for his historical ties to Red Bull, has raised questions about how Russell might respond if Antonelli, dubbed by some as the "new Max Verstappen," performs well against him. "Russell starts for the first time as the team leader, and we’re eager to see how he will handle the pressure of competing with Antonelli,” Klien predicted. Russell has gained recognition throughout his career for occasionally outperforming Hamilton, particularly finishing above him twice — once in the 2022 and then again during the 2024 season.
Meanwhile, Antonelli’s ability to adapt to Formula 1 will remain under intense scrutiny. Jacques Villeneuve has questioned whether the young Italian driver can push and develop the car effectively, especially following what Villeneuve labeled as “a rather unconvincing” Formula 2 campaign. The stakes are high: if Antonelli turns out to be less effective, it could be problematic for Mercedes as they adjust post-Hamilton.
With the 2026 regulatory changes on the horizon, teams must strike a delicate balance between developing their current car and shifting focus to upcoming regulations. Russell noted recently, "Whoever continues to develop will probably win the championship, but you’ll pay the price in 2026." A common strategy could find teams like Red Bull, currently riding high on Verstappen’s past performances, veering toward 2026 preparedness if they start this season poorly.
This year is sure to be pivotal, with Red Bull’s leadership already deliberated on balancing Verstappen’s title defense and preparing their new Ford engine for the 2026 changes. Down the grid, drivers from teams like Williams are likewise considering their strategy for the upcoming rule adjustments.
For Antonelli, who at just 18 years old is preparing for his debut season, the need to maximize experience is imperative. "I’m going to try to attack all the time and make as much experience as possible to be prepared for '26,” Antonelli said, underscoring the pressure he faces not just from expectations but from imminent changes within the sport.
Overall, as the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches, the narrative remains fraught with uncertainty surrounding driver commitments, team strategies, and the future of established stars. Fans and pundits alike are anxiously awaiting the next chapter, eager to see whether the rumors pan out or if drivers like Max Verstappen will remain with their teams amid relentless speculation.