Max Verstappen’s Future Beyond Red Bull: Mercedes Door Closes, But Aston Martin Could Still Be in Play

As the Formula 1 world edges closer to a major regulatory shift in 2026, the future of its biggest star, Max Verstappen, remains a topic of intense speculation. A four-time world champion and the face of Red Bull Racing’s recent dominance, Verstappen’s contract saga is taking a new twist with Mercedes publicly closing the door on a potential collaboration, at least according to team principal Toto Wolff.

Toto Wolff’s Clear Stance

Despite weeks of rumors and sightings of Wolff and Verstappen in Sardinia that fueled speculation, Wolff put a definitive end to the discussions—at least publicly—by expressing his commitment to a future led by George Russell and young prodigy Kimi Antonelli. In his words, “The direction of travel is that we want to continue with George and Kimmy. That’s the first priority.”

This statement not only squashes the possibility of Verstappen donning Mercedes overalls in 2026, but it also outlines a vision where Mercedes invests in long-term continuity rather than bringing in an outsider—even one as successful as Max. From a team-building perspective, it’s a logical move, especially as Russell continues to mature and Antonelli shows promise as the future face of the team.

Verstappen’s Casual Response

Verstappen, never one to get rattled easily, responded coolly to Wolff’s comments and the rumors that had circulated. When asked about the shared Sardinia sighting, Max dismissed the idea that it implied contract talks, joking, “There are more people on the island than just me and Toto and the family.”

He also reiterated that he remains content with Red Bull for now: “The target was that when I signed my deal, I would drive here until the end of my career.” However, the key word here is “target”—not “certainty.” Verstappen is clearly leaving the door open, even if he’s not slamming it shut on his current team.

Red Bull’s Own Uncertainty

The 2026 regulations, which include a radical revamp of power units and chassis design, are looming large. Red Bull’s new partnership with Ford for its in-house powertrain is untested, and early reports suggest it may be one of the weaker packages when matched against established engine manufacturers like Mercedes, Ferrari, and the incoming Audi.

Add to that the internal shake-ups at Red Bull, including the departure of Christian Horner and other key personnel, and it’s understandable why Verstappen would consider his options. While he claims Horner’s exit hasn’t influenced his loyalty, it’s naive to think such monumental changes wouldn’t at least prompt some reflection.

Exit Clause Looming

There’s an additional wrinkle in Verstappen’s contract: a performance clause. If Red Bull’s competitiveness significantly drops, Verstappen reportedly has the option to activate an exit clause. The trigger may be as specific as falling 18 points behind Russell in the next two races, which would place him fourth in the driver standings. If this happens, 2026 could be a turning point.

Aston Martin: The Dark Horse?

With Mercedes out—for now—the next potential suitor is Aston Martin. But even that possibility is murky. The Silverstone-based outfit has made strides with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, but long-term, Alonso is expected to retire soon, and Stroll’s seat is only as secure as Lawrence Stroll’s investment.

If Aston Martin can present Verstappen with a compelling technical package post-2026, they may be a serious contender. With strong financial backing and a growing technical staff, the team could become the surprise challenger of the new era. But again, that depends entirely on the performance of the new regulations.

Internal Mercedes Tensions?

Interestingly, it seems the story with Mercedes may not be entirely closed. Reports suggest that Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius might be willing to go behind Wolff’s back to secure Verstappen, believing the star driver could be the final piece in restoring Mercedes’ dominance. This kind of power struggle, if true, shows just how valuable Verstappen is in the current F1 landscape.

If internal pressure mounts within Mercedes leadership, it’s possible that Wolff’s current stance may be challenged—especially if the team’s early 2026 performance falters or if Antonelli doesn’t live up to the immense hype surrounding him.

Brundle’s Take: Stability in 2026, Change in 2027?

Veteran F1 pundit Martin Brundle has also weighed in, suggesting Verstappen will stay at Red Bull through 2026. In his conversation with the Dutchman, Brundle emphasized that Verstappen’s primary interest is driving a fast car—regardless of the badge on the nose cone.

Brundle noted, “I think Her’s exit means he’ll now stay. I’m certain he’ll now stay at Red Bull for 2026 and see what happens.” It’s a logical conclusion. With so much change happening in 2026, Verstappen may decide it’s wiser to evaluate performance across the field before making any career-defining moves.

Loyalty vs. Legacy

At the heart of the matter is Verstappen’s legacy. While he’s already cemented himself among the greats with four championships, the next phase of his career will determine how dominant he can be in the long run.

If Red Bull falters, loyalty will only stretch so far. The best drivers in F1 history—from Ayrton Senna to Michael Schumacher to Lewis Hamilton—have all made strategic team changes that elevated their careers. Verstappen may have to follow suit if he’s serious about rewriting the record books.

Conclusion: A Waiting Game

For now, Max Verstappen is staying put, and the likelihood of a 2026 move to Mercedes is close to zero based on Wolff’s latest statements. But the chessboard is still in motion. With new regulations, shifting team dynamics, and potential political battles within Mercedes itself, nothing is off the table from 2027 onwards.

Aston Martin could rise. Mercedes could change its mind. Red Bull could falter—or flourish. And through it all, Verstappen will be watching and waiting for the car that can deliver him championship number five and beyond.

Because as Max himself said, “It’s all about having a fast car.” And wherever that car is, that’s likely where you’ll find him.

Full Video: