Switch imminent? Verstappen spotted in the sim with Mercedes F1 Car

14:21, 06 Jul

Co-author:Kada Sárközi

byLudo van Denderen

Will Max Verstappen be racing for Red Bull Racing in 2026, or will he make the switch to Mercedes? That's the hot topic in the F1 paddock right now; a subject Verstappen himself refuses to comment on. But did he subtly give away a hint during an iRacing session?

Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Verstappen is a talented sim racer, as is well known by now. At any moment he's not active in Formula 1, he's somewhere in a simulator. Verstappen did just that last Friday, shortly after the second free practice for the British Grand Prix. The footage has been shared online.

Verstappen racing in the Mercedes

What was notable about this session? Verstappen drove his virtual laps in - yes - a Mercedes F1 car.

The Dutchman must have also seen the humour in that. However, it's important to add a small disclaimer here. In this iRacing game, the Mercedes car was the only recent F1 car the Dutchman could use.

In the coming weeks, it will become clear where Verstappen's future lies. Various theories are circulating, for example, this one.

GPblog has learned that these are the points on which Verstappen will base his ultimate decision.