Verstappen addresses possible shock Mercedes F1 switch

Max Verstappen has not completely ruled out a possible Formula 1 switch to Mercedes, should he decide to leave Red Bull.

Mercedes currently has a vacancy open for 2025 after Lewis Hamilton opted to join Ferrari, with Verstappen’s name touted as a possible candidate to replace his fellow World Champion given the power struggle engulfing Red Bull off track.

Verstappen does have a signed contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but over the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, hinted that if Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko departed the team, his own future would be in doubt.

Speaking before going onto record his 56th career win, Verstappen addressed the talk of a potential Mercedes move – with Team Principal Toto Wolff sure that the Dutchman simply wants to be in the fastest car he can.

“Well you know the thing is that no-one would have ever realised or seen that Lewis would have moved to Ferrari,” Verstappen told media including RacingNews365.

“In my life, and it doesn’t matter that it is not related to F1, just general life, you never know what is going to happen or what comes to you, whatever happens around you or what might influence you.

“So you can never say 100% that that is how it is going to be [and I won’t go to Mercedes in the future].

“I approach my life like that, but I also don’t think about it too much, I am very relaxed and happy at the team, and happier that the performance is there.”