Source: REUTERS/Eric Bolte
[Saba Sports News] During last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, a surprising moment occurred when Red Bull driver Max Verstappen retired in the first lap at home, dropping him to third place in the championship with 155 points. According to reports, Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull expires in 2028, but it includes a “performance clause” that allows him to leave early after the 2025 season if he fails to finish in the top four before the summer break (after the Hungarian Grand Prix). Currently, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has already contacted Verstappen. If Verstappen joins Mercedes, he may replace George Russell, becoming a teammate of Logan Sargeant, triggering a chain reaction in driver transfers. Red Bull and Aston Martin are both trying to secure Russell. The editor believes that if Verstappen joins Mercedes, it could trigger a chain reaction in the driver market. Russell might move to Red Bull or Aston Martin, and other teams may also adjust their driver lineups accordingly, changing the competitive landscape of F1 and making the future of races in 2026 and beyond more uncertain.