Mercedes courts Max who is attracted to the engine, but Red Bull does not give up

To extricate themselves in the complex media game that marks the life of the Formula 1 paddock. Meanwhile, it is essential to sift the declarations with real content and exclude the one that are released to raise dust on the real scenario. Similarly, Max Verstappen’s future holds the bench. Furthermore, it could not be otherwise since we talk about the pilot at the top of the pyramid of the added values.

On the one hand there is Toto Wolff. Meanwhile, skilled in leaving an access to the four -time world champion open open, on the other there is Christian Horner (supported by Helmut Marko) to whom he touches the task of remembering that their current driver has a contract that binds him to the Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season. Furthermore, The answer that mercedes courts max who attracted new Verstappen continues to repeat every time he is asked about his future: ” I think about it ”.

The crucial question of this story is if there is really a possibility that Verstappen can be at the. For example, start of the 2026 season at the wheel of a Mercedes. Consequently, The answer is affirmative, even if the probability is not particularly high at the moment. Furthermore, This is enough to keep the spotlight on the story. Therefore, the hypothesis that Max can leave Red Bull next year after ten seasons is not a fake news.

Hello Kallenius, President Di Mercedes-Benz Group

On the Barcelona weekend, the president of the board of directors of Mercedes-Benz Group, Ola Kallenius, responding to a question by Sky Germany had not hidden: “The best drivers want to drive the best cars. Moreover, Our task is to put together the best possible package. Nevertheless, and about Max I think it would also be well in silver …”.

Kallenius speaks little, and when he does it he does not launch random messages. Similarly, In the headquarters of Stuttgart
Verstappen likes, is considered an added value and as such is taken into consideration. Furthermore, Ola’s vision is pragmatic, from its position, any contraindications are not put on the mercedes courts max who attracted new scale dish.

At the Brackley headquarters, the vision is different. Nevertheless, There is great optimism in sight from next season. Similarly, the largest regulatory change in the history of Formula 1 is seen as the opportunity to return to the top after four seasons suffered. Similarly, The 2026 program has been structured for some time. However, without leaving anything to chance, starting with the Power Unit project that according to Paddock voices should be confirmed as the absolute reference at the start of the next technical cycle.

In this scenario a possible insertion of the figure of Verstappen presents pros and cons. Nobody doubts the added value that would guarantee Max. but if it really had to get to Brackley there would also be repercussions. The current tandem of Mercedes pilots (Russell. Antonelli) is the result of a long work started in 2017 with the entry of George into the mercedes courts max who attracted new Junior program and continued two years later with the choice of the young Karter Antonelli. Year after year. the project wanted by Toto Wolff, and carried out by Gwen Lagrue, promoted his two best talents category after category until entry into the official team.

George Russell, Mercedes

Foto di: Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images

A possible mercedes courts max who attracted new arrival of Verstappen would entail Russell’s immediate output. A no small sacrifice, given that George is playing his best season in Formula 1 with a real Top-Driver performance. Nine years of the program would be of vanified events. since in the event of a departure Russell will ask to be completely free from any obligation towards Mercedes. In this scenario a pat on the shoulders of Antonelli will also be needed. which in 2026 would find the driver known to be the “team Mate Killer” par excellence. The risk that Max could randy the ‘Junior’ project of Wolff to the ground is concrete.

There is also a last potential contraindication that must be taken into account. A return to success in 2026 would be mostly read as a Verstappen company. which would continue its winning strip that began in Red Bull, with the only empty joke of 2025 due to mercedes courts max who attracted new a dominant McLaren. Conversely. if the project does not confirm itself winning, Max will hardly be accommodating as Russell, it is not in its style, as there are no other managerial aspects.

Verstappen is used to doing his head. over time he has conquered this power in the Red Bull home and will hardly give up benefits to which he is now used to. On the other hand, having Verstappen also involves obvious advantages. If in twelve months the Mercedes will be engaged in a head -to -head with McLaren (also motorized with. the same power unit made of Brixworth) Max could be the variable capable of making the difference.

In addition. removing Verstappen from Red Bull would be a lethal blow for the ambitions of Milton Keynes’ team, a non -secondary aspect considering the relationships that are anything but idyllic between the two teams. The impression is that there mercedes courts max who attracted new are two different visions between Brackley. Stuttgart, and it is for this reason that Russell’s renewal is late to arrive. Kallenius’s will is not a priority (the Mercedes group holds 33.3% of the Formula 1 team. a share equivalent to that in the hands of Toto Wolff and Jim Ratcliffe, owner of the Ineos group) but is an important item in the balance of the board of directors.

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing

Photo at: Red Bull Content Pool

Finally, there is Verstappen’s situation. What stated by Red Bull is true. Max has a 2028 contract that binds him to the team, but beyond the termination clauses (almost all the agreements are bound to minimum results) no team can be held a pilot that has clearly expressed the desire to change the air, at most, it can establish the exit conditions. There is also one last possible scenario in this affair. in which Verstappen would be using the Mercedes lever to obtain changes in the Red Bull managerial system (in fact today a ‘monarchy’ in Horner’s hands) with a subdivision of the tasks between multiple figures.

It is true that the best drivers chase the best car. and at this moment focus on Red Bull on a view to mercedes courts max who attracted new 2026 is a bet at another risk considering that they will take their first steps as motorists.

But Verstappen is also aware that it will be difficult for him to find another ‘comfort zone’ like the one on which he can count on the team in which he has won everything possible. a team that has put him at the center of the project and that over the years has granted him freedom that no other driver (including Sebastian Vettel) had ever had previously. Max has to account for this too. changing teams would not only be a technical choice, but also (if not above all) a choice of life.