The one scenario Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull for Mercedes: “If he knows that…”
Circumstances under which Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull for Mercedes: “If he knew…”
The world of Formula 1 is known for its twists and turns and speculation, and one of the latest stories stirring behind the scenes is the possibility of Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull to join Mercedes. Although Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, speculation over his future has increased, particularly following the scandal involving Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft highlighted a scene where he saw Verstappen leave Red Bull for Mercedes. In a recent interview on the Sky F1 podcast, Croft explained that the key to Verstappen considering this change was if he knew the Mercedes engine would be as dominant in 2026 as it was in 2014, when the new engine rules were introduced.
Mercedes has dominated Formula 1 for years, especially after the introduction of hybrid powertrains in 2014. If Verstappen is convinced that Mercedes’ engines will be as strong and competitive as ever in 2026, he may be tempted to leave Red Bull in 2026. Looking for more success and victory.
However, this change will not be easy. Despite the speculation, Verstappen has already expressed his loyalty to Red Bull and Honda’s engine development team. Additionally, with the mood at Red Bull seemingly stabilizing following the scandal involving Christian Horner, attention has returned to track matters.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has fueled speculation by publicly suggesting there are “factors” that could lead Verstappen to consider leaving Red Bull. This led to an exchange of barbs between Wolff and Horner, with Horner saying that Wolff should focus more on his own team’s performance than the other teams’ drivers.
Meanwhile, Verstappen is keeping his cards close to his chest, with some suggesting he is waiting to see how things play out at Red Bull before making a decision on his future.
Ultimately, only time will tell what the next chapter in Verstappen’s career will be. Meanwhile, Formula 1 fans are eagerly waiting to see how this story unfolds and whether Verstappen will move to Mercedes if the right situation presents itself.
