Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on Mercedes rumours: ‘I determine my own future’

LONDON – Max Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 Formula One season, but that has not stopped ongoing speculation about a possible move to Mercedes.

One person who has not commented much on the topic is the Dutch four-time world champion himself.

“I do not have to add much to that,” Verstappen told Viaplay, when asked about recent comments by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff

indicating an interest in signing

the 27-year-old driver.

“The more I say about it, the more it will be reported in the media. And I certainly do not want that. I determine my own future.”

Wolff confirmed his interest in signing Verstappen on June 27, when asked about Mercedes driver George Russell’s comments that his own contract talks were being delayed due to the Mercedes team’s interest in Verstappen.

But Wolff said his interest in Verstappen has nothing to do with finishing a new deal for Russell, 27, whose contract expires at the end of 2025.

“First of all, there is no delay in George’s contract situation because it’s pretty clear since a long time what our timings were,” he told Sky Sports.

“We’ve known each other for such a long time, so there is no such thing as a delay.

“But also as a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world, it is clear you’re exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future, and that could be a long time in the future. But that has no effect on us putting a signature on George’s contract.”

Verstappen’s Red Bull contract reportedly includes performance clauses, making the success of his season critical in more ways than one.

He resides in third place in the drivers’ standings with 155 points after he exited the June 29 Austrian Grand Prix after being hit by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli at turn 3 on the opening lap and did not finish.

Russell, meanwhile, said ahead of this weekend’s home British Grand Prix that he expects “something to happen” in the coming weeks.

“We’ve obviously spoken a little bit more over the last week because there are numerous news articles and what-not out there. In all honesty, it doesn’t really change anything on my side,” said the 27-year-old on July 3.

“Obviously there’s a lot of questions about it, but the more we speak or the less we speak about it, nothing really changes. It’ll happen when the time is right. I expect probably in the next couple of weeks, probably, something to happen.”

He reiterated that his results and performances will determine his future, whether or not Verstappen has accepted an offer from Wolff, as reported by Sky Sport Italia.

“You can have a contract, but if you don’t perform, you’re out,” he said, adding that he has not approached any other team for a seat for 2026.

“I want to stay with Mercedes in the future. Fact is, Toto has never let me down. He always keeps his word, but he also needs to do what’s right for his team and that applies to the thousands of people working at Mercedes.”

Mercedes’ interest in Verstappen comes as F1 prepares for a change of technical regulations for cars and engines next season.

The Silver Arrows are widely believed to be better prepared for the new rules than their rivals, including Red Bull, whose recent performances have left Verstappen frustrated as his bid for a fifth title peters out.

Separately, American motor sport official Tim Mayer, the son of former McLaren team chief Teddy Mayer, is set to stand for the presidency of governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in December’s election, it was reported on July 3.

The 59-year-old, who said he was dismissed as a Formula One race steward by text message by an assistant of incumbent president Mohammed Ben Sulayem last November, will reportedly confirm his bid at a news conference close to Silverstone on July 4, the BBC said. REUTERS, AFP