F1 2026 driver market heats up: Max Verstappen’s manager addresses Mercedes speculation. Raymond Vermeulen, Max Verstappen’s manager, confirms talks with Mercedes but downplays rumors.

From Fred to Max: The F1 Rumor Shift

Just ten days ago, the Formula 1 paddock was buzzing with speculation about Frederic Vasseur possibly leaving Scuderia Ferrari at the end of the year. However, media attention has since dramatically shifted to the potential future partnership between Max Verstappen and Mercedes for the 2026 season. These rumors gained momentum especially after comments from Mercedes driver George Russell, a point confirmed publicly by Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner during a press conference.

Verstappen’s Manager Speaks Out

Raymond Vermeulen, the experienced manager representing the four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, recently addressed the swirling rumors in an interview with Dutch motorsport outlet Formule1.nl. Vermeulen clarified several points regarding the talks with Mercedes, the contractual performance clauses, and Verstappen’s actual intentions about leaving Red Bull Racing.

“Some of the things I read are really far from reality,” Vermeulen began, adding, “Our main focus is on improving Red Bull’s performance. We have a contract with them, and we want to see the RB21 improve quickly, even though we realize we are currently out of championship contention.”

On Mercedes’ Interest: Confirmed but Not Shocking

Regarding the reported courtship from Mercedes, Vermeulen neither denied nor sensationalized the discussions. Instead, he put the situation into perspective: “It’s not shocking that there have been talks with Toto Wolff. In Formula 1, everyone talks to everyone else. It makes sense that we talk to Toto, just as we have spoken with others—person A, B, C, or D. Sometimes we just grab a coffee; I don’t find it shocking at all. But now this has become a real media circus. That’s F1. Right now, the focus is on Max and his potential performance-related contract clauses.”

Keeping Options Open: No Absolute Certainty on 2026

Vermeulen carefully navigated the topic, keeping all options open both for himself and for Max Verstappen. “Most performance clauses can typically be activated during the summer period. The question is if and what will happen—maybe nothing will happen at all. And that wouldn’t be strange. In any case, we cannot give absolute certainty about 2026,” concluded Raymond Vermeulen.