Max Verstappen to Mercedes rumours have exploded into the spotlight once again after McLaren CEO Zak Brown publicly addressed the paddock’s hottest question: could the reigning world champion be on his way to Mercedes?
As the Formula 1 world gears up for the 2025 British Grand Prix, Brown’s remarks have added fuel to an already raging fire. With the 2025 F1 season reaching its halfway point, Verstappen’s future remains one of the biggest talking points in motorsport.
Persistent reports, most notably from Sky Sport Italia, claim that Verstappen has verbally agreed to join Mercedes. That report was quickly disputed by respected Dutch journalist Erik van Haren, who insisted that nothing has been signed and no official offer has been made.
Why Verstappen-to-Mercedes Rumours Won’t Go Away
The speculation about Verstappen’s next move isn’t new, but this time it’s more intense than ever. Red Bull has struggled to keep pace with the dominant McLaren team, and their recent run of poor form has coincided with high-profile departures, including technical mastermind Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
As a result, Verstappen’s once-stable home now faces real questions about its future as a championship contender. Adding to Red Bull’s headache is the challenge of developing its own power unit for the first time, a high-stakes gamble that could either make or break their next era in Formula 1.
Amid these uncertainties, Verstappen’s name keeps coming up in connection with Mercedes, especially as the German team weighs its options for 2026 and beyond, and when asked by Sky Sports News about the swirling speculation, Brown didn’t hold back.
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“You’re never totally sure but I am a believer of where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Brown said. “If everyone was committed to their seats for next year, that’s what everyone would be saying.
“The fact everyone is talking. Nobody has confirmed anything so that tells me conversations are going on. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Max in a Mercedes.”
He added, “I don’t think that’s out of the question. I think I’d rather see Max in a Red Bull at the moment than a Mercedes because he’s doing an unbelievable job, of course. This is what F1 is about. It’s always exciting. Stay tuned. There might be another chapter to this story.”
Can Red Bull Survive Without Verstappen’s Brilliance?
As speculation grows, so does Red Bull’s reliance on their superstar. Liam Lawson failed to score points in his two outings for the team, and Yuki Tsunoda’s best finish since his promotion has been ninth in Bahrain.
Brown was clear about Verstappen’s impact, saying, “They would probably be behind AlphaTauri (Racing Bulls). They’ve done a great job and got a great racing car. Max is carrying them at the moment.”
If Verstappen does leave, Red Bull could face an even steeper decline, especially with McLaren setting the standard in both championships.
For now, the paddock is left to speculate whether the Dutchman will gamble on a new era with Mercedes, stay loyal to Red Bull, or if another twist is coming in Formula 1’s ever-unpredictable driver market.
