Source: Imagn Images/Sam Navarro
[Saba Sports News] The F1 paddock is once again abuzz with speculation about Max Verstappen’s future, with 2026 rule changes looming closer. Both Red Bull Racing and Mercedes teams, along with Aston Martin, are potential next homes for the four-time F1 World Champion. However, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has thrown out a shocking viewpoint: Verstappen must stay at Red Bull if he wishes to continue his dominance, as Mercedes may face targeted competition due to their technological dominance. 2026 will be the most disruptive season in F1 history—cars will shrink in size, reduce weight, and see revolutionary changes in power units: internal combustion engines and electric power outputs will be evenly split for the first time. This dual transformation has placed teams in a high-stakes gamble, and Brown’s revelation that Mercedes engine development is progressing smoothly has sparked media speculation. Brown told British media, “When someone fights hard against rule changes, it usually means they hold an ace.” His comments pointed directly to the history of Mercedes’ domination from 2014-2020 with hybrid engines. For Verstappen, this decision is akin to the biggest gamble of his career. Betting on Mercedes could see him replicate Hamilton’s “engine bonus”. But Brown’s warning is far from baseless: when James Allison, technical director at Mercedes, openly opposed the rule modifications, the paddock saw familiar signs of technical monopolies and prepared countermeasures.