Max Verstappen might have an ulterior motive in his negotiations with Mercedes. After all, it would be a risky time to change teams.

Verstappen himself has said the 2026 pecking order is a mystery at this stage, even if there are inevitably rumours circulating in the paddock about who’s on top. Mercedes may be showing him their engine simulations.

That opens up the possibility that Verstappen is using Mercedes as leverage. The threat of leaving could be a powerful means to enact change at Milton Keynes.

Verstappen wants to see out his career at Red Bull but will only do so if he can continue to win. His streak of championships looks likely to come to an end this year, and he reportedly feels that a major restructure is needed in response.

Christian Horner says he won’t defer any responsibilities at Red Bull

According to reports this week, Verstappen wants Christian Horner’s power reduced. Failing that, his camp could push for a change in leadership.

The feeling is that Horner is spreading himself too thin, whereas a team like McLaren are thriving with Zak Brown making big-picture calls and Andrea Stella handling day-to-day issues.

Speaking in the team principals’ press conference at the British Grand Prix on Friday, Horner laid out the scope of his power. And he made it clear that he wouldn’t make any sacrifices.

“I think every team structure is different,” he said. “The role of a team principal in different teams, whilst the job title carries the name, the definition of the role is very different.

“McLaren have activities in IndyCar, in sports cars, across a whole host of different activities. At Red Bull Racing, I have a clear structure that reports into me, similar to Andy [Cowell at Aston Martin] or Toto Wolff does, where you have the main faculties that report into me.

“Pierre Wache probably performs 80% of the role that perhaps Andrea does at McLaren. It’s just a different job title, different functions, different set-up.

“It’s a set-up that’s worked incredibly well for us on track and off track. We have a very tight senior management, a very strong structure. We’ve got strength in depth.

“We don’t feel, and I certainly don’t feel, that there’s a need to change or tune it. Of course, you’re always tuning as an organisation and optimising, but our structure, the way it is positioned, is very, very clear.

Christian Horner should be concerned by what Max Verstappen has now said about George Russell

Red Bull are relaxed about the Verstappen exit rumours because they think the noise is coming from his father Jos, rather than Max himself. Horner had a rather public falling out with the 53-year-old.

The bigger problem for the ever-present team boss is that he’s lost some support among the Thai majority shareholders. Horner would honour Verstappen’s wishes, but his departure would be a monumental blow.

Mercedes’ board haven’t approved the proposed Verstappen move yet. One of their misgivings may be the prospect of losing George Russell, who’s been exceptional this season but has clashed with the world champion in the past.

However, Verstappen says he has no ‘grudge’ against Russell. And that could indicate that he’s willing to join him in what would be a superpowered line-up at Mercedes.