Is Verstappen leaving Red Bull? © APA/afp / JOE KLAMAR

Weeks of decision: Will Verstappen soon drive the Silver Arrow?

Nothing heats up Formula 1 more before returning to its birthplace than the rekindled prospect of a mega-transfer from Max Verstappen to Mercedes.

July 03, 2025

From: dpa

Ahead of the Grand Prix at Silverstone, where the racing series premiered 75 years ago, rumors about negotiations between the Silver Arrows team and the world champion are providing the most piquant topic of conversation from the paddock. And Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is leaving his options open. He wanted to bring Verstappen into the Mercedes junior program eleven years ago. According to Sky Italia, talks between the two sides have intensified in recent days.

"To have the right plan for the longer term, you have to understand what other people are doing," the 53-year-old said a few days ago in Spielberg, referring primarily to Verstappen. Should a four-time world champion enter the market, Wolff wants to be able to offer him a seat. Therefore, the Austrian has not yet made a final commitment to his current regular duo, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, for 2026.

Exit clause in Verstappen’s contract?

What's curious is that Briton Russell could help secure Verstappen's move at his home race in central England. The Dutchman's contract, which runs until the end of 2028, contains a clause allowing for an early exit if Verstappen is not among the top three in the overall standings at the end of July, according to the trade magazine "Auto, Motor und Sport." Currently fourth in the World Championship, Russell is only nine points behind the defending champion.

"It's perfectly normal that talks are underway with someone like Verstappen," Russell recently said with marked calmness regarding his unresolved contract situation. He's not worried, the 27-year-old assured. After all, every team has two spots to fill.

Russell as teammate or transfer victim? © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

A Verstappen/Russell driver pairing would likely be attractive for Mercedes from a sporting perspective, but it's also potentially explosive. The stubborn Dutchman and the spokesperson for the drivers' union have clashed several times on and off the track in recent months. After their collision in Barcelona at the beginning of June, Verstappen even quipped that he would bring Russell tissues next time.

Boss Wolff, however, isn't fazed by such feuds. "I can imagine any pairing. I had (Nico) Rosberg and (Lewis) Hamilton fighting for the world championship, so everything else is easy after that," said Wolff. In Rosberg and Hamilton's three years together at the Silver Arrows, the factory team won the drivers' and constructors' titles each year, despite all the internal animosity.

Regulatory reform as an incentive for change

It is precisely this power of the industry giant that could serve as another lure for the 27-year-old Verstappen. Mercedes already outsmarted the competition with a comprehensive rule reform and, led by superstar Hamilton, dominated Formula 1 for years.

Next year, the premier class will see another technological revolution with new cars and engines. Reportedly, Mercedes is significantly further ahead than Red Bull in the development of the new car. With the departure of design mastermind Adrian Newey and other key figures in the title series of recent years, Red Bull may have lost some of its clout and thus its appeal for Verstappen.

Is Toto Wolff up to something? © APA / ERWIN SCHERIAU

"Everything is going according to plan," Wolff said regarding the status of personnel planning at Mercedes. He did not want to conduct negotiations as a public meeting. Mercedes aims to provide clarity by the four-week summer break in August at the latest. "I don't want to be sadistic and make a driver wait unnecessarily when a decision needs to be made," the team boss insisted.