Source: REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
[Saba Sports News] Italian Sky Sports reported that Mercedes and Max Verstappen have engaged in substantive talks about a transfer. The report stated that Verstappen agreed to the offer from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, and the next step is for the Mercedes board to approve it. If the transfer is completed, Verstappen will replace George Russell, and will partner with Andrea Kimi Antonelli. If Russell enters the driver market, Red Bull and Aston Martin both want to sign him. According to Verstappen’s close friend Robert Doornbos, the clause allowing Verstappen to leave early has already been triggered. Doornbos said on the Ziggo Sport racing cafe show that if Verstappen falls out of the top two in the driver standings before the summer break or the team drops out of the top three in the championship, he could terminate the contract early. Additionally, Doornbos revealed that the negotiations between Verstappen and Mercedes have been ongoing since last year, and it is not a complicated matter. Faced with all these rumors, Verstappen did not clearly state whether he will remain with Red Bull in 2026.