Update on Mercedes driver plans for 2025 and 2026 after ‘not an option’ claim – report

Max Verstappen faces a significant decision about his future in F1; should he stick or twist?

Mercedes has reportedly accepted defeat on their hopes of Max Verstappen joining them from Red Bull for 2025, but F1 2026 is another matter.

With Lewis Hamilton heading to Ferrari for F1 2025 – creating a future Mercedes vacancy – and the off-track unrest at Red Bull early in F1 2024 – Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff publicly made his interest in signing Max Verstappen clear, confirming that he would “love” to bring the three-time World Champion over from Red Bull.

Mercedes turn to 2026 to snatch Max Verstappen from Red Bull?

Additional reporting by Thomas Maher

While Red Bull started F1 2024 as the dominant team, the dynamics have since changed with McLaren and Mercedes narrowing the gap with their competitor. Mercedes has particularly been on a roll, winning three out of the last four races before the summer hiatus.

However, as per De Telegraaf, Mercedes reached the conclusion over that summer break that Verstappen will not be Hamilton’s replacement for F1 2025, backed up by ‘several sources around that team’.

Instead, the publication reports that Kimi Antonelli, a two-time race winner in his debut Formula 2 season and a renowned champion in junior racing circles, will join George Russell at Mercedes next season. Antonelli is a Mercedes junior.

However, it’s suggested that Wolff may renew efforts to acquire Verstappen next year. Certain performance criteria in Verstappen’s Red Bull contract, which lasts until the end of 2028, could facilitate a move to Mercedes. This could coincide with significant changes to the regulations for the chassis and power unit in F1 2026.

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Wolff intriguingly stated that Verstappen should only consider joining Mercedes once the team started consistently battling for victories again. He made this statement after Mercedes made a winning comeback with George Russell in Austria.

“Wolff continued, addressing media including PlanetF1.com, “I believe this is a moment when we can declare ourselves a destination or harbor port for the best drivers, including Max.”

“But we haven’t reached that point yet, so if I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t be contemplating such a move. Not yet.”

The F1 2024 season continues this weekend at Verstappen’s home race, the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort. Since the venue was reinstated on the F1 calendar in 2021, Verstappen has remained undefeated there.

With 10 rounds of the season to go, the Dutchman holds an 78-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship over McLaren’s Lando Norris, though McLaren are only 42 adrift of Red Bull at the top of the Constructors’ Championship.

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