Jolyon Palmer rules out Max Verstappen and ‘A-list’ F1 driver being teammates in 2026, ‘not going to happen’

The future of Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen is set to dominate how the Formula 1 driver’s market plays out this season.

Max Verstappen has been clear in his lack of communication over his future that he doesn’t want to get involved in the rumours surrounding whether or not he’s going to stay at Red Bull.

Team principal Christian Horner will be desperate for Verstappen to commit to his current Red Bull deal which runs until 2028, and it’s hard to believe that he wouldn’t try and extend that contract if he could given his importance to the team.

However, with Red Bull no longer possessing the dominant car on the grid, whispers have started in the paddock that some of the Anglo-Austrian team’s rivals are taking a closer look at Verstappen.

Aston Martin have been linked with Verstappen, although it might be hard to convince the four-time world champion that things will be better in 2026 when the sport’s regulations change considering they’ve only scored 10 points after five Grand Prix weekends this year.

Mercedes are also interested in Verstappen, but team principal Toto Wolff would have to choose between George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli if he wanted to sign the Dutchman.

Jolyon Palmer has had his say on Verstappen’s future, and while he hasn’t confidently suggested where he thinks the 27-year-old will end up, he thinks he knows which driver he definitely won’t be lining up alongside in 2026.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Max Verstappen and George Russell being teammates at Mercedes is ‘not going to happen’

Palmer was speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast about what might happen in the driver’s market this year.

He was asked about Verstappen’s future and whether Wolff might end up moving his drivers around to make room for the Dutchman.

The former F1 driver responded, “It’s not going to be Max and George in the same team, is it?

“That’s not going to happen, I don’t think. Can you imagine it? With the tension that they’ve had in the past.

“I know they play it down, but they’re not the best of friends, they’re too sort of A-list drivers.

“I don’t think Toto’s choosing that as a line-up. I think Kimi [Antonelli] has to perform OK, but I think he is the nice, second driver.

“Japan was good, actually Bahrain wasn’t bad either, but he got stuffed on strategy.

“So, I think that’s an OK bit, and then you’ve got a harmonious lead driver.”

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

Why pairing George Russell and Max Verstappen would be great news for Formula 1

Wolff has praised Antonelli for managing to avoid getting caught up in the hype of replacing Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows this season.

He currently sits above the seven-time world champion in the drivers’ championship, and his next goal will be scoring the first podium of his Formula 1 career.

However, the opportunity to pair one of the most in-form drivers on the grid with the faster racer in the paddock might be too tempting to turn down for Mercedes.

Mercedes are expected to be strong in 2026, as the grid is likely to be dominated by whichever team has the best power unit.

That will be tempting for Verstappen, but what might be even better for fans is a genuine intra-team rivalry between him and Russell.

Russell and Verstappen played out a very public feud last season, starting at the Qatar Grand Prix and bleeding into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

While they appear to be on better terms now, Palmer is sure that it would be a disaster for Mercedes to bring the two together.