As speculation about Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future reaches fever pitch, Lewis Hamilton has weighed in with a powerful endorsement of his former team, describing Mercedes as an “amazing team” that could suit even the reigning world champion.
Rumours of a possible Verstappen switch to Mercedes have refused to die down during the British Grand Prix weekend, despite repeated denials from both camps. With Red Bull’s title challenge faltering in 2025 and Verstappen’s frustrations increasingly visible, the conversation around the Dutch star’s next move is impossible to ignore.
Asked in Silverstone if he would recommend Mercedes to Verstappen, Hamilton was emphatic: “Of course. He’s coming from a great team,” Hamilton told the press at Silverstone.
“Many, many years ago, I was so diehard Mercedes at the time, I remember saying something about Red Bull being only a drinks company. I always regretted it because the truth is, Red Bull have been an incredible team, there are so many exceptional people there, and they’ve dominated for years.
“But what I can say is if anyone was going to ask me about Mercedes, it’s an amazing team also. They’ve got great personnel, it’s a great factory, a great environment to work in. So, of course I would say, be interested to see what happens.”
The remarks come at a time when Verstappen’s relationship with Red Bull is under the microscope. Despite a contract running until 2028, the team’s patchy results and leadership upheaval have triggered widespread speculation that Verstappen might seek a new challenge. Mercedes, led by Toto Wolff, has long admired Verstappen and would be eager to secure his services should he become available.
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Verstappen’s Next Step Remains Unclear
When Verstappen was asked by the media if his management had been talking with Mercedes, the Dutchman played it cool: “Who says that?” he replied. After being told that Wolff had confirmed conversations, Verstappen simply said, “I have nothing to add.”
The F1 paddock has seen this script before. Hamilton himself made a daring leap when he left McLaren for Mercedes in 2013—a move many doubted at the time, but which delivered six world titles and transformed the team into an era-defining powerhouse. Verstappen, now facing a similar crossroads, could be eyeing a new project as the sport prepares for major technical changes in 2026.
Despite Mercedes’ own recent challenges, Hamilton was clear about the team’s qualities, saying, “With, naturally, the passion, they’ve got great personnel, it’s a great factory, great environment to work in.”
With team principal Toto Wolff openly admitting to talks and both teams under pressure to plan their line-ups for the coming years, Verstappen’s next move could reshape the balance of power in Formula 1.
As the summer break approaches, the paddock waits to see if Hamilton’s Mercedes recommendation for Verstappen could tip the scales in one of the sport’s most high-stakes transfer sagas.
