Amidst Red Bull’s turbulent times, rumors are swirling about a potential collaboration between Max Verstappen and Mercedes. Toto Wolff, the three-time world champion, has courted Verstappen multiple times. After yet another disappointing race in Azerbaijan, Verstappen’s father, Jos, is said to have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with the Silver Arrows.
According to a German source, Jos Verstappen, who has a good rapport with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, has even struck an informal deal with the team. Max Verstappen could potentially move to one of his biggest rivals from 2026, regardless of his current contract with Red Bull. The Dutchman is supposed to stay in Milton Keynes until 2028, but certain conditions in that agreement would allow him to make a transfer.
“There is talk of a handshake agreement between Jos Verstappen and Toto Wolff,” reports the German source. “Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract does not change this. It contains exit clauses that he can activate under certain conditions before 2026.”
What about Aston Martin?
The future at Red Bull is currently uncertain; the Austrians lost the lead in the constructors’ championship to McLaren last weekend. Moreover, Max Verstappen has not been able to win a race since the Spanish Grand Prix and he must fear for the drivers’ title. Rival Lando Norris only needs to make up fifty-nine points on the Dutchman.
However, besides Mercedes, Aston Martin is also an interesting destination for Verstappen. The current performances are subpar, but Lawrence Stroll’s team has recently strengthened with Adrian Newey. The team also has a new wind tunnel and will soon use the Honda engines familiar to Verstappen. Whether he will actually make an early transfer is still a question. What is clear, however, is that the future at Red Bull currently looks bleak.
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