If Max Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull, he hasn’t fully ruled out switching to Mercedes in the Formula 1.
Given the power battle consuming Red Bull off-track, Verstappen’s name is being floated as a potential replacement for fellow World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who chose to join Ferrari. Mercedes currently has a slot vacant for 2025.
Although Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull through the end of 2028, he made hints during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend that his own future would be uncertain if Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko left the organization.
Verstappen addressed the rumors of a possible Mercedes switch before going on to take his 56th career victory. Team Principal Toto Wolff is confident that the Dutchman just wants to be in the fastest car possible.
Verstappen said to reporters, including RacingNews365, “You know what, no one would have ever realized or seen that Lewis would have moved to Ferrari.”
“In my life, you never know what’s going to happen to you, what’s going to happen around you, or what might impact you. It doesn’t matter if it has nothing to do with Formula One; it’s just life in general.
“Therefore, you cannot guarantee that this will always be the case [and I won’t visit Mercedes going forward].”
“I approach my life like that, but I also don’t think about it too much, I am very relaxed and happy at the team, and happier that the performance is there.”