Max Verstappen’s assertion of a “handshake agreement” ignites fresh rumors about Mercedes.
Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen’s father allegedly have a “handshake agreement” in place for the Red Bull driver to join Mercedes for the 2026 Formula One season.
Mercedes has confirmed that teenage phenom Andrea Kimi Antonelli will partner with George Russell in Formula One 2025, taking the place of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes has finalized their driver lineup for the upcoming season.
Max Verstappen claims there was a “gentleman’s agreement” when the Mercedes rumors surfaced.
The decision to elevate Antonelli followed repeated rumors of a bid for Verstappen, with Mercedes manager Toto Wolff openly expressing his intention to acquire the three-time world champion as Hamilton’s replacement at Ferrari.
Verstappen’s future has come under scrutiny this year despite having a contract that runs through the end of the Formula One 2028 season. This is due to the growing tensions between his father Jos and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, as well as the RB20 car’s declining performance as Formula One 2024 has gone on.
Verstappen has won four of the first five races of the season, but he hasn’t won since the Spanish Grand Prix seven races ago. This is his longest winless streak since the 2020 season.
F1 contracts: Intended for breach?
Before this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, which Verstappen has never won, his advantage over McLaren driver Lando Norris has dropped to 59 points as a result of that unsatisfactory run.
With seven races left, McLaren leads Red Bull by 20 points in the Constructors’ Championship. This was Red Bull’s first loss of the lead since May 2022 in Baku last weekend.
Over the course of Formula One 2024, Red Bull has lost a number of key personnel. Adrian Newey, the design maestro, is leaving to join Aston Martin, and Jonathan Wheatley, the sporting director, is expected to take over as Audi F1 team principal in 2019.
In anticipation of Wheatley’s departure, Red Bull announced a staff reorganization on Wednesday. Among other internal advancements, Verstappen’s longtime race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase was elevated to head of racing.
In addition to his new position, which he will take over at the beginning of next year, Lambiase will remain Verstappen’s race engineer.
Verstappen has suffered a “special” blow as a result of Newey’s departure, according to a report in the German daily F1 Insider, which has left a “huge gap” in the squad.
Verstappen told reporters in Azerbaijan last weekend that a switch to Aston Martin “is something maybe for the future that I think about, but not now.” It is rumored that Newey is “courting Verstappen” in an attempt to convince the 26-year-old to accompany him to Silverstone.
Rumor has it that Verstappen’s father has made a gentleman’s agreement with Wolff to move to Brackley, and as a result, he is reportedly already set to go to Mercedes for the F1 2026 season.
According to the report, Verstappen Sr. and Red Bull star Raymond Vermeulen are betting that Mercedes will master the major technical regulations in Formula One when they reintroduce new engine and chassis rules in 2026. These regulations include a move to 50% electrification and fully sustainable fuel.
Mercedes is widely believed to be well-prepared for the 2026 regulations, having emerged as the dominant force in Formula One following the last major engine changes in 2014. Following this, the team won a record eight consecutive Constructors’ titles and seven consecutive Drivers’ Championships, divided between Hamilton (six) and Nico Rosberg (one).
Red Bull will employ its own internal Powertrains section for the 2026 season, and Newey’s current suppliers, Honda, will rejoin forces with Aston Martin.
After initially withdrawing from Formula One at the end of Verstappen’s first title-winning season in 2021, it is said that there are concerns about whether Honda “will be able to keep up from the outset” with their competition, despite their recent success with Red Bull.
Despite Verstappen’s formal four-year contract with Red Bull, there are rumours that his pact would not prevent him from joining Mercedes since it has escape clauses that the World Champion can “use for 2026 under certain conditions.”
At the Dutch Grand Prix last month, Horner made it clear to the media, including PlanetF1.com, that Verstappen will stay with Red Bull for as long as the team can give him a competitive car.
However, he acknowledged that Verstappen might not be able to finish his Red Bull contract. This is because of performance stipulations.
“I find it surprising how much discussion there is about this topic in the open media,” Horner remarked.
“We’re comfortable where we are, but the situation with Max and myself has always been clear. I believe that others can talk.”
Delivering is up to us. Since our agreement expires in 2028, it is up to us to fulfill.
“At Zandvoort, I didn’t see Toto’s car operating that well.” It’s a long way off, 2028. Our responsibility is to supply a race-winning vehicle.
“A performance [clause] is a part of every contract. We won’t discuss those specifics, but as long as we deliver a competitive vehicle, we are aware of the circumstances.
When announcing Antonelli’s promotion, Mercedes chose not to disclose the precise duration of his contract; in contrast, new teammate George Russell’s two-year extension, signed last summer, is scheduled to expire at the end of the following season.
Russell “is not safe at all” at Mercedes, according to Rosberg, who made an appearance on Sky F1 during the most recent Italian Grand Prix. The British driver and Antonelli will compete to be Verstappen’s 2026 teammate in 2025.
“George Russell is not safe at all because Toto does not know how to give up. He still wants Max, and he will try again for 2026,” the man stated.
“I do think it’s possible that Max will become available, so next year will be a shootout between George and Kimi.”
George is under a lot of pressure since, really, he has nothing to lose come next year.
“Inside, he ought to be in the lead since Kimi, who is only eighteen, is brand-new and under extreme strain.
“George is not in an easy situation there.”