Verstappen’s future lies with Mercedes in 2026, claims former F1 driver

12:00, 17 Jul

Updated: 12:55, 17 Jul

byTobia Elia

Former Formula 1 driver and FIA steward Johnny Herbert believes Max Verstappen’s future is leaning far more towards Mercedes than Red Bull in 2026, citing several factors currently working against the team now led by Laurent Mekies.

We’re on the brink of the infamous Silly Season, and unsurprisingly, Max Verstappen’s future remains the hottest topic of conversation—both inside the paddock and beyond.

The four-time world champion has yet to make a final decision about his future, although—as reported by GP Blog—the Dutchman is expected to choose which team he’ll race for in 2026 no later than the end of the summer break.

So, what would be the better option for Max between the team now led by Laurent Mekies and Mercedes? The Dutchman would prefer to stay with Red Bull—the team that nurtured him, gave him his Formula 1 debut at just 18, and helped him become one of the most successful drivers ever by the age of 27.

Looking ahead to 2026 and the new technical regulations, Red Bull and its Powertrains engine project in collaboration with Ford remain one of the big unknowns—especially compared to a Mercedes power unit rumored to be highly competitive.

“Rumours are that it’s not been going very well,'' former Formula 1 driver and FIA steward Johnny Herbert told a betting site.

''But the rumours have been that Mercedes are going very well. Max would want to put himself in a position where he has the best chance he can to (win). He's frustrated where he is because they're not able to give him what he wants.''

“There have been a lot of people who have left. There are still things going on behind the scenes.”

Max Verstappen at Silverstone

The parallel between Niki Lauda and Lewis Hamilton

According to Herbert, the situation between Verstappen and Toto Wolff is comparable to that of Lewis Hamilton and Niki Lauda in 2012, when Hamilton chose to leave the more established and reassuring McLaren to join a new project at Mercedes.

“The discussions I would have thought that Toto and Max have had are probably very, very similar to what Niki Lauda had with Lewis when he was at McLaren and he got taken out of McLaren and brought over to Mercedes,” he added .

“Because I think Mercedes would have shown Max what they've got, what they believe they're going to have for next year which will probably be the car to beat.''

“Now that would be for me, the little gold nugget that you would dangle in front of Max. And he would be wowed by what he's being told. Toto says it’s all unlikely but that is classic Toto. There is more to it for sure.''

“Max is thinking ‘I’ve got to get out of here’. It's little ingredients and that just keeps creeping into his season so far. And the more that it happens, the more he must be thinking, ‘I've got to move on. I've to find a place that would give me what I need.’

Finally, Herbert added: “The thing is with Red Bull, with the engine program that they've got, it's going to take time. And time is not always what an F1 driver has on his side.”