Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, has decided against joining Mercedes for the 2025 Formula 1 season, though discussions for 2026 remain a possibility. The Dutch driver had been contemplating a shift from Red Bull due to some internal turmoil and instability within the team. His representatives engaged in talks with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who was seeking a successor for Lewis Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari. However, it seems that Kimi Antonelli, a promising driver from the Mercedes academy, is poised to partner with George Russell instead.
Recently, Helmut Marko’s contract extension with Red Bull eliminated an exit clause in Verstappen’s agreement, which is set to last until 2028. This development was particularly relevant given Marko’s recent power struggles with Christian Horner. As Marko and Horner appear to have reached an understanding, possibly to keep Verstappen from contemplating a departure, it raises questions about the team’s future dynamics.
Despite this stability, Verstappen has the opportunity to make a move before the 2026 regulation changes, especially if he aims to maintain his competitive edge. According to reports, a clause in his contract could become active after the early races of the upcoming season, allowing him to explore options if he finds himself outside the top three in the championship standings at that time.
With the pressure of the current title race intensifying, Verstappen’s camp has decided to pause negotiations with Mercedes. F1 journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm suggested on The Race F1 podcast that this decision stems from the need to concentrate on the championship. After leading the standings by a significant margin earlier in the season, Verstappen now finds his lead reduced to 52 points, thanks to Lando Norris’s impressive performances in recent races. With the title fight heating up, maintaining focus is crucial for Verstappen and his team.
As the season progresses, drivers are feeling the strain of an intense schedule. Verstappen has voiced concerns over potential health issues for himself and his fellow competitors, especially with the upcoming races in Las Vegas and Qatar occurring back-to-back despite the vast distance between the two venues. If he can maintain his current performance levels, there’s a possibility he could secure his title in Las Vegas. However, with an engine penalty looming, the championship battle might extend all the way to the final race in Abu Dhabi.