Max Verstappen has been heavily linked with a switch away from Red Bull to Formula 1 rivals Mercedes for months, with speculation intensifying since boss Christian Horner was axed

Max Verstappen has been heavily linked with a switch to Mercedes(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Max Verstappen has admitted he is simply “hoping” that he will be with “the right team” next year. His cryptic comment comes amid intense speculation over his future with Red Bull Racing and claims that he could break his contract and leave for rivals Mercedes.

The Dutchman has a deal with Red Bull until 2028, but it contains an exit clause which he has been strongly linked with triggering. And speculation about his 2026 plans has only intensified since the news broke that the Red Bull parent company had dismissed team principal and chief executive Christian Horner.

Laurent Mekies has been installed as his successor, an appointment which has been hailed as an “extremely good move” in the context of getting Verstappen to stay. That looks to be the most likely outcome, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also stating he would like to stick with his current driver line-up for now.

For whatever reason, Verstappen has avoided making any statements in public which could be seen as being a definitive decision. Mirror Sport asked him directly at the British Grand Prix earlier this month if he could state outright that he will be a Red Bull driver in 2026, but he declined to do so.

What is clear is that Verstappen wants to be in the quickest car possible so he can add to the four F1 titles he has won so far in his career. His quest to make it five this year is all-but over with McLaren the dominant force on the grid and Red Bull’s performance in relative decline.

New engine regulations coming into force and Mercedes have been hotly tipped to start the next era strongly, given how well they adapted the last time power unit rules changed in 2014. In contrast, Red Bull are building their own engines for the first time and may struggle to be as competitive initially.

Commenting on the situation in an interview with The Athletic, Verstappen made it clear he is paying little attention to speculation and guesses about what the balance of power might be when the 2026 season begins, and that he is keeping his fingers crossed that it will all work out well in the end.

“[2026 is] a big question mark for everyone,” he said. “For me, you just hope that you’re with the right team, and… I don’t [want] to say ‘luck in’ but, in a way, you do ‘luck in’ because if you’re a good driver and suddenly your team steps up, then you know that you have a winning chance. That’s how F1 works.”

Verstappen has been visually irritated by the incessant questioning about his future amid the constant links to Mercedes, but he continues to insist that his thinking is unaffected by the speculation. He added: “I know what I have done to get here. I’ve known what I have achieved already in this sport, and I focus on myself, the people close to me. The team and family.

“I do what I have to do on track, and then, besides that, just live my life outside of it with all my passions. And with my family (too). For me, I don’t let it distract me [from] what I’m doing here.”