Rumours continue to circulate about the future of Max Verstappen in Formula 1 and now it is Zak Brown, Executive Director of McLaren Racing, who claims that the Dutchman will be racing for the Mercedes team from next season.
The separation of Red Bull and Verstappen
In recent years, Max Verstappen has had many disagreements with Red Bull and the threat of the four-time world champion’s departure has always been present. But these disagreements went hand in hand with something that united them: the option to win the World Championship, options that finally materialized in the form of four titles.
However, the future of Red Bull does not seem to be linked to the conquest of titles, which could be the trigger for Verstappen who could be disputing his last year in the team where he has won everything.
Verstappen, who has a contract with the Austrian brand until 2028, could be looking for a change of scenery, and although he has been linked to several teams such as McLaren or Red Bull, the Mercedes option is once again the one that is gathering momentum for next year.
Real options to fight for the World Championship in 2026
Although there is no official data to confirm it, at the moment, Ferrari and Mercedes could have taken the advantage with the development of the engines for the year 2026, when there will be a change in the regulations. After the loss of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff wants to make a big splash and sign the best driver on the grid and make him the best in the history of Formula 1.
He has more than enough arguments to convince him, but the final decision will be made by a driver who is used to surprising people with his approach to the world of racing and who could make any decision about his future, even to retire, as he has said at other times in recent seasons, especially because of the direction he believes the FIA has been taking in recent years.
Aston Martin is a strong possibility
One of the teams that has been mentioned most often as a possible signing for Verstappen has been Aston Martin: Lawrence Stroll is determined that Aston Martin will become the best team on the grid and has invested a lot of money to make this dream come true sooner rather than later. The offer he has already put on the table for the Dutchman is “a lot of money”, as the driver himself acknowledged.
The arrival of Adrian Newey is another factor that could persuade the driver to pack his bags and head for Silverstone. He was key to his titles, and his ambition to be with the best could be decisive.
It is true that, as of today, there are doubts about Aston Martin’s alliance with Honda for the engines of the new regulations, but these are the same engines that have taken him to the top of Formula 1.
Zak Brown points to Mercedes
Zak Brown, Executive Director of McLaren Racing, was asked after the Australian Grand Prix and took the plunge on the future of the driver, explaining why he thinks he will choose Toto Wolf.
“I think he will leave at the end of this year. Most likely he will go to Mercedes. There has also been talk of Aston Martin, with the incorporation of Adrian Newey. But as great as Adrian is – and he is the best of all time – you need a whole team around you.
We will see if this is finally Verstappen’s last year at Red Bull or if we will finally see him heading for Mercedes, Aston Martin, or if he will surprise us with a decision that is not in anyone’s plans right now.