Damon Hill shocks the F1 paddock: “Max Verstappen will sign with Mercedes”. Damon Hill claims Max Verstappen could move to Mercedes in 2027.

Max Verstappen rumored to replace George Russell

Could Max Verstappen replace George Russell at Mercedes? Recent comments by Damon Hill quickly went viral. On the “Stay On Track” podcast, the former F1 driver, discussing Mercedes’ strong performances and Max Verstappen’s apparent dissatisfaction, revealed that rumors in the paddock suggest the Dutch champion could be very close to the German team once again.

Damon Hill spills the truth

“Max Verstappen will replace George Russell at Mercedes even if he wins the World Championship. I’ve heard rumors that Max Verstappen isn’t very happy at Red Bull right now. He will sign with Mercedes, and the one leaving will be Russell, even if he wins the World Championship. George is always a temporary figure in the team,” Hill admitted.

Max Verstappen in action in China

These are strong statements, leaving little room for interpretation. Even though the 2026 season has just begun, transfer rumors are already spreading. The speculation around Verstappen and Mercedes peaked last summer, but without any breakthrough for the team led by Toto Wolff, who has always expressed great interest – and admiration – for the four-time World Champion.

Looking ahead to Suzuka

While we wait to see if these rumors develop further, Formula 1 returns to the track this weekend at Suzuka, Japan. Here are the timings for the race weekend.

Damon Hill’s bold prediction suggests that the 2026 driver market is far more volatile than it appears on the surface. By suggesting that even a world title might not secure George Russell’s long-term future at Brackley, the former F1 world champion highlights the unique pull that Max Verstappen has on the entire F1 grid. Based on the content of these latest paddock rumors, the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix will be a pressure cooker for both drivers as they look to assert their dominance.