Max Verstappen holds the keys to what could otherwise be a quiet F1 driver market for 2026, with the Dutchman possibly able to leave Red Bull despite his contract for 2028.
The Milton Keynes natives locked Verstappen down with a long-term deal on the back of the 27-year-old winning his first of four straight Formula 1 titles so far. But Red Bull still live with the risk of seeing Verstappen walk out, having agreed to include release clauses in his terms.
Verstappen can send the F1 driver market into overdrive by breaking out of his Red Bull deal through 2028. One of the exit clauses in Verstappen’s deal is based on him being outside the top three in the F1 drivers’ standings at the 2025 summer break, which he is 19 points from.
Red Bull insider warns Mercedes they’ll ‘ruin’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli by signing Max Verstappen
Only five drivers are currently due to be out of contract after the 2025 F1 season, including Yuki Tsunoda with Red Bull. But other dominoes may fall early, with Aston Martin one of the teams chasing Verstappen despite having Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll under contract.
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| Position | Drivers’ Championship | Points |
| 1 |
Oscar Piastri |
198 |
| 2 |
Lando Norris |
176 |
| 3 |
Max Verstappen |
155 |
| 4 |
George Russell |
136 |
| 5 |
Charles Leclerc |
104 |
Mercedes also retain an interest in signing Verstappen, with both Silver Arrows seats up for grabs as George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are both currently out of contract. Team principal Toto Wolff remains on the charm offensive to sign Verstappen for as early as 2026.
But a Red Bull insider has warned Mercedes against a move, telling Auto Motor und Sport: “If Wolff takes Verstappen, he’ll be swapping two drivers. That would also ruin Antonelli.”
Mercedes promoted Antonelli for his F1 debut this year after Lewis Hamilton left for Ferrari. Wolff has already seen the 18-year-old make history with Antonelli becoming the youngest-ever F1 polesitter in the Miami Sprint and the youngest driver to lead a Grand Prix in Japan.
Mercedes are now expected to announce George Russell’s new contract at Silverstone
Antonelli beat Verstappen’s record to be F1’s youngest Grand Prix leader in Japan, as he also became the youngest driver to set the fastest lap of an F1 race. Wolff even saw Antonelli get his first F1 podium in the Canadian GP, yet Mercedes want Verstappen if he leaves Red Bull.
Their interest has thus raised questions about Russell’s future in Brackley. But AMuS reports that there is ‘evidence’ to suggest that Mercedes will confirm the 27-year-old’s new contract at the British Grand Prix. Russell will enjoy his home Formula 1 race at Silverstone on July 6.
It has long been expected that Russell will sign a new £46m two-year contract for Mercedes, with his current deal due to expire. He has also stepped up to lead the Silver Arrows in 2025. While Antonelli has broken rookie records, Russell has secured 136 of Mercedes’ 199 points.
