Max Verstappen is unlikely to join Mercedes due to his contractual obligations with Red Bull until 2028 and the contentious history between the two fierce rivals in Formula 1.
The unexpected news of Verstappen’s move to Ferrari in 2025 has been confirmed, even before the start of the 2024 season. As a result, Mercedes is actively searching for a new driver to fill the vacant seat left by the departure of the seven-time world champion. However, the possibility of the reigning world champion joining the Brackley-based team has been denied.
Helmut Marko, the Austrian boss, expressed his desire to have the reigning world champion as part of their lineup. However, it is not a simple task as Verstappen is bound by his contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028. Moreover, Milton Keynes has provided the 26-year-old with the necessary resources and equipment to showcase his best performances throughout the season.
In addition, Mercedes has made serious accusations regarding the outcome of the 2021 championship in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen emerged as the victor under controversial circumstances, and Marko stated that the world champion has not forgotten those allegations. The crash between the two drivers at Silverstone was also a significant moment for Verstappen. Considering these factors, an early move to Brackley for the 26-year-old seems highly unlikely.
Despite the desires of Toto Wolff and Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen has his own thoughts. While the partnership between Red Bull and Verstappen is formidable and unlikely to change, the 26-year-old is not completely opposed to the idea of joining Mercedes. The reigning world champion emphasized the importance of being true to oneself and expressing one’s opinions above all else. Therefore, the team itself does not matter to Verstappen; if a team wants him, they would need to make efforts. Furthermore, Verstappen hinted at his ability to adapt to changes to some extent, further suggesting the possibility of a move to Mercedes.
Regardless of the speculations, Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull for the 2024 season and aim to achieve impressive results. However, replicating the extraordinary performance of 2023 will be challenging. Therefore, the team is preparing for the upcoming season and making small adjustments to meet the new challenges.