After just three races of the 2026 season, a bold claim has already taken centre stage in the paddock: Max Verstappen may be preparing to leave Red Bull. Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes that not only is a move to Mercedes possible, but it is also inevitable.
Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Palmer was unequivocal. “This conversation will happen,” he insisted, pointing to Red Bull’s sudden drop in competitiveness as the key trigger behind a potential exit.
Red Bull’s decline has sparked uncertainty
For the first time in years, Red Bull no longer looks like a title-winning force. The team that once dominated the grid now appears to have slipped to fourth place, leaving Verstappen fighting in the midfield rather than at the front.
This has fundamentally changed the equation.
Verstappen, a driver defined by relentless ambition, is not prepared to settle for mediocre results. Palmer made that clear: “Max isn’t here to finish eighth in qualifying. He’s not here to not fight for the podium.”
The implication is clear: if Red Bull cannot provide a winning car, Verstappen will look elsewhere.
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Mercedes emerges as the prime target
According to Palmer, that ‘elsewhere’ is almost certainly the Mercedes.
“They have the best car,” he explained, suggesting that performance alone will influence Verstappen’s decision. A move to Mercedes would instantly put him back in championship contention, which is currently out of reach.
However, such a switch would create a major dilemma for team boss Toto Wolff. Mercedes already has a strong driver pairing in George Russell and rising star Kimi Antonelli.
Nevertheless, Palmer believes this wouldn’t matter.
“You can’t ignore Verstappen.”
Palmer continues saying, “If you have the chance to sign a four-time world champion, you can’t let it slip,”
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A Golden opportunity for Mercedes
From a strategic standpoint, Verstappen represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. His arrival would guarantee immediate performance gains and send a powerful message across the grid.
Palmer also pointed out that talks between Verstappen and Mercedes are nothing new. Rumours of discussions have circulated since 2025, suggesting that the groundwork may already be in place.
Verstappen already has a connection with Mercedes
Verstappen has already established a subtle connection with the Mercedes brand outside of Formula 1. During recent outings at the Nürburgring, he impressed in a Mercedes GT3 closely associated with Mercedes’ customer racing programmes.
While this does not constitute an official affiliation with the F1 team, his performances in endurance-style racing have only served to reinforce the idea that he could transition seamlessly to different disciplines, including those associated with the Mercedes ecosystem.
While Mercedes currently has the upper hand in terms of performance in F1, Palmer warned that this advantage may not last. As the season progresses, the competitive order could tighten, meaning that, to convince Verstappen, the team will need more than just a fast car.
This is where timing becomes critical.
If Verstappen decides to move, the resulting chain reaction across the driver market could be one of the biggest in recent Formula 1 history.
Verstappen questions his Formula 1 future
In a previous TJ13 report, Verstappen himself fuelled speculation by openly questioning his future in the sport, rather than discussing contracts.
Following a frustrating weekend at Suzuka, the Dutchman admitted that he is “thinking about everything” with regard to his continued participation in Formula 1. This was his clearest indication yet that he is seriously considering an early exit — or at least a major change.
“Is it worth it anymore?”
Verstappen’s concerns go far beyond results.
While poor performances have played a role, he made it clear that finishing positions are not the core issue. Instead, he believes that the current generation of cars and regulations have stripped away the enjoyment of driving.
He even suggested that he could accept finishing seventh or eighth if the experience of driving still felt rewarding.
The driving style required, shaped by heavy energy management and restrictive systems, has turned racing into a technical exercise rather than a driving challenge.
A deeper frustration with modern F1
This dissatisfaction is echoed within his inner circle. His father, Jos Verstappen, has previously expressed concerns that the sport is no longer as exciting as it once was.
What was once considered cautious commentary is now beginning to look like a clear warning sign.
The Verstappen camp has repeatedly questioned Formula 1’s direction — from the driving dynamics to the overall spectacle — and these frustrations are becoming harder to ignore.
“I want to enjoy it again.”
At the heart of Verstappen’s stance is a simple message: he wants to rediscover the joy of racing.
“I want to be here to have fun and enjoy myself,” he admitted, a striking statement from a driver who has already won multiple world championships.
This change in mindset is significant. It suggests that legacy and statistics are no longer the driving force behind his career decisions.
If the sport cannot offer him that enjoyment again, the consequences could be dramatic.
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How Red Bull could negate the Mercedes move and keep Max
As we reported some days ago, Verstappen holds a performance-based exit clause in his Red Bull contract that could be triggered by the team’s difficult start to the season.
TJ13 paddock sources suggest that, behind the scenes, Verstappen could consider taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 if he remains frustrated, and that Red Bull would still honour his reported $70 million salary.
Verstappen’s well-known passion for endurance racing lends weight to this theory, especially given his planned appearance at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. If he were to take a temporary break, he could move into factory-backed sports car racing and even bid for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future, following in the footsteps of Fernando Alonso and Nico Hülkenberg.
This would open the door to an extraordinary pursuit of motorsport’s “Triple Crown”, a feat that has only ever been achieved by Graham Hill.
Perhaps this would be the only trump card left for Mekies to play to retain the services of the Dutchman.
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NEXT ARTICLE – Max Verstappen Considering Paid 2027 Sabbatical Amid F1 Frustrations
One thing was crystal clear at the recent 2026 Formula One Japanese Grand Prix, and that is Max Verstappen is a very unhappy man. In the FIA press conference he banished a journalist from The Guardian, refusing to answer questions until the offending pork pie hat had left the room.
Verstappen claims Giles Richards had ‘laughed in his face’ following the season finale in Abu Dhabi last season. Having fallen short by just 14 points of becoming only the second F1 driver to claim five consecutive titles, Richards reminded Max of his red mist in Spain where he appeared to ram the Mercedes of George Russell.
The resulting 10 second penalty issued by the race stewards probably cost Verstappen in the region of 9 points that day, so it was not a deciding incident for his season anyway. Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies is reported to have had words with his star driver following corporate pressure from Austria over the image he was portraying of the Red Bull brand.
Max reprimanded for dismissing journalists
Thats in itself is a bizarre tale, given that Red Bull energy drinks brand, the extreme sports they have supported and the rebellious attitude of the Red Bull F1 team have always been associated with kicking over the traces. How times have changed since the death of Red Bull founder Didi Mateschitz. But we digress.
As if to make matters worse, Vertsappen had his worst racing weekend of the season. He was out qualified for the second time by new team mate Isack Hadjar and dumped out of the top ten shootout by rookie Arvid Lindblad in the Red Bull sister car. The RB22 car was “undriveable” repeated Max throughout the…CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE
Clara Marlowe is a Formula 1 writer at TJ13 with over 15 years of experience in motorsport journalism, having contributed features to established sports magazines such as Evo, MCN, Wisden Cricket Monthly and other digital outlets.
Clara specialises in human-interest storytelling, focusing on the individuals behind the sport, including drivers, engineers, and team personnel whose roles are often overlooked in mainstream coverage.
At TJ13, Clara contributes long-form features and narrative-driven pieces that explore the personal and professional journeys within Formula 1. This includes coverage of career-defining moments, internal team dynamics, and the human impact of high-pressure competition.
Clara’s work brings depth and perspective to the sport, complementing news and analysis with stories that highlight the people behind the machinery.
Clara has a particular interest in how personal narratives intersect with performance, and how individual experiences shape outcomes across a Formula 1 season.
