Max Verstappen has recently addressed speculation surrounding the Red Bull Ford engine that will debut in the 2026 Formula One season. The Red Bull team will partner with Ford for their power units, while Aston Martin will work with Honda. Verstappen has played down rumours of a move to Mercedes, instead focusing on the upcoming engine and its potential. Meanwhile, an expert insider claims he knows Verstappen with “choose Mercedes”
In 2026, for the first time in nearly two decades, Red Bull will run a car not designed by Adrian Newey and powered by a Red Bull Ford engine rather than Honda, as will be the case from 2019. Speaking to the press, including Total-Motorsport.com, Verstappen said, “I’m not the one who designs the engine, but I think it’s incredibly important to know the basics and see where the project is going.”
The future with Red Bull Ford
Verstappen highlighted the efforts of the Red Bull team, pointing to the hiring of top talent and their dedication to making the new engine competitive.
“The team has hired a lot of good people and, honestly, the only thing I can say about it is that everyone is working flat out to make it the fastest engine possible,” he said. He expressed confidence in the project, observing the progress and the tools available at the factory to ensure success.
Challenges of the current season
Despite leading the Drivers’ Championship by 84 points from Lando Norris, Verstappen acknowledges the challenges within the team. Red Bull have admitted that Verstappen’s exceptional driving has been a major factor in their success, rather than the car alone.
This is underlined by the struggles of team-mate Sergio Perez, who has scored just 15 points in the last six races, highlighting the fact that McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari are on a par with Red Bull in terms of pace.
Reflecting on recent races, Verstappen said, “Well, for one lap it didn’t look too bad. I think it was just the pace in the race. We just didn’t have the pace. I couldn’t follow the pace of the others. And that’s something we have to understand, of course.
Persistent rumours that Verstappen will “choose Mercedes”
The speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s potential move from Red Bull Racing to Mercedes has been gathering pace. Now, former F1 driver and fellow Dutchman Robert Doornbos has added fuel to the fire, suggesting that Verstappen is likely to drive for Mercedes in the foreseeable future, possibly as early as 2025.
It is well known that Mercedes have shown considerable interest in signing Max Verstappen. Team principal Toto Wolff has made no secret of his admiration for the three-time Formula One World Champion, and has frequently expressed his desire to see the Dutchman drive for the German marque. Wolff is keen to bring Verstappen on board as early as next year, but a move in 2025 seems more likely.
Doornbos’ advice and predictions
Robert Doornbos, who has a brief history in F1 himself, having raced for the likes of Minardi and Red Bull in the mid-2000s, recently shared his thoughts with Motorsport.com. He strongly advises Verstappen to consider a move to Mercedes in 2025.
“Max should seriously consider joining Mercedes in 2025. Because if Mercedes turns out to be really good, he can have a good season with them in 2025 and dominate again from 2026,” said Doornbos, highlighting the potential for Verstappen to join the up-and-coming Silver Arrows.
According to Doornbos, a move to Mercedes in 2025 would allow Verstappen to familiarise himself with the team before the new technical regulations come into force in 2026. This strategic move could position Verstappen with the “team with the best engine”, he suggested, making Mercedes an attractive option for the next phase of Verstappen’s illustrious F1 career.
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Hamilton’s future and potential move to Ferrari
Doornbos also commented on the speculation surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s future at Mercedes. Contrary to some rumours, Doornbos does not believe that Hamilton’s departure is due to a lack of confidence in the development of the car. Instead, he suggests that Hamilton may be looking for a new challenge, possibly at Ferrari, a rare opportunity in a driver’s career.
“I think Lewis just needs a change of scenery. The chance to go to Ferrari may only come once in a lifetime, if at all. That’s why I think Lewis had to make a completely different choice here,” Doornbos continued.
Wolff’s vision for Mercedes
The former driver suggested that Wolff’s plan could involve replacing one world champion with another, a realistic scenario given Mercedes’ recent performance improvements.
“Mercedes didn’t have a competitive car at the start of this season, so it only made sense for Max to stay with Red Bull for 2025. Because Red Bull was pretty dominant. But that has suddenly changed,” said Doornbos, noting the shift in the competitive landscape that makes a move to Mercedes more attractive.
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Internal turmoil at Red Bull
Red Bull Racing is also experiencing internal turbulence. The end of their dominance, combined with internal tensions surrounding team boss Christian Horner and the departure of star designer Adrian Newey, has created what Doornbos describes as a “heated atmosphere” within the team. These factors add to the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s future at Red Bull.
Although Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has recently played down speculation about a move for Verstappen, his refusal to deny the rumours is keeping them alive. Furthermore, Mercedes are also considering youngster Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a potential replacement for Hamilton, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding story.
In conclusion, the F1 paddock is abuzz with speculation and behind-the-scenes strategic manoeuvring. Max Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes, coupled with Lewis Hamilton’s possible departure to Ferrari, is creating a dynamic and uncertain future for some of the sport’s top teams and drivers. As the 2025 season approaches, these stories will be closely watched by fans and pundits.
The shifting alliances and emerging talent promise to keep the excitement high and the competition fierce, ushering in a new era of Formula One drama and excellence.
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The Formula 1 paddock is buzzing with rumours about Max Verstappen potentially moving from Red Bull to Mercedes. Although Helmut Marko, a key figure at Red Bull, has not outright denied the possibility, he maintains that there are no concrete developments to substantiate these rumours.
For fans and analysts alike, the idea of Verstappen behind the wheel of a Mercedes is an intriguing prospect. Mercedes, a team that has dominated much of the past decade in Formula 1, would gain an exceptional asset in Verstappen. His aggressive driving style and relentless pursuit of victory have already earned him multiple championships, and pairing that with Mercedes’ engineering prowess could be a…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
