Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull Racing, putting an end to ongoing speculation about a possible move to the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team for the 2025 season. Following the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix held at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, the future of the Dutch three-time Formula 1 World Champion has been effectively defined, with Verstappen set to continue his journey with Red Bull Racing until at least the end of the 2025 season.
While no official announcement has yet been made, confirmation has emerged subtly through the Dutch press, signalling the end of rumors that intensified in recent weeks—particularly in the aftermath of the internal tensions within Red Bull and the reported discussions between Verstappen’s camp and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff. These rumors gained momentum after the departure of Red Bull’s long-time team boss Christian Horner, which many believed could influence Verstappen’s decision regarding his future.
A key element in this saga has been the so-called “performance clause” in Max Verstappen’s contract. This clause theoretically allowed him to exit his agreement early if Red Bull fell outside the top three in the Constructors’ Championship standings by the summer break. However, that escape route is no longer viable: Verstappen currently sits comfortably in third place in the Drivers’ Championship standings, holding a 28-point advantage over fourth-placed George Russell of Mercedes. As a result, he remains securely within the top three, and the clause will not be triggered.
Mercedes to Continue With George Russell and Kimi Antonelli
With Max Verstappen now expected to stay at Red Bull Racing, attention has shifted back to the Mercedes team, which is reportedly preparing to solidify its current driver line-up. According to reports from Dutch media outlets, the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team is now working toward finalising contract renewals for both George Russell and rising Italian star Kimi Antonelli, who joined the team as a full-time race driver in 2025. After a respectable showing at Spa, where George Russell finished fifth, Mercedes appears committed to developing its next generation of talent rather than pursuing Verstappen for the immediate future.
Verstappen Remains Calm Amidst Red Bull’s Internal Changes
Despite recent internal changes and leadership shifts within Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen is said to remain calm, focused, and motivated. Laurent Mekies, who was promoted from Racing Bulls to the position of Team Principal at Red Bull, is reportedly earning the Dutch driver’s trust. Sources close to the Red Bull garage have indicated that the collaboration between Mekies and Verstappen is progressing well, with no signs that the Dutchman is looking to make any hasty decisions regarding his future.
Leaving Red Bull at the end of 2025 would have carried considerable risk for Max Verstappen. The 2026 Formula 1 season will mark the arrival of sweeping new technical and power unit regulations, and for the first time in the hybrid era, Red Bull Racing will be competing with an in-house developed power unit built by Red Bull Powertrains. Verstappen, aware of the potential implications of these changes, appears to prefer a wait-and-see approach. He reportedly intends to evaluate the team’s performance under the new regulations before seriously considering any alternative options.
Contract Valid Until 2028, Mercedes Move Not Off the Table Long-Term
Raymond Vermeulen, Max Verstappen’s long-time manager and close advisor, has not made any public statements regarding the performance-related clauses in Verstappen’s contract. However, he has reiterated that the Dutch driver’s current agreement with Red Bull Racing remains valid through the 2028 season. Loyalty to the team that brought him to Formula 1 and helped him become a three-time World Champion continues to be one of Verstappen’s defining principles.
That said, a move to Mercedes has not been entirely ruled out for the long term. Toto Wolff, the Austrian team boss of Mercedes, has repeatedly stated his admiration for Max Verstappen and has expressed interest in working with him at some point during his career. Wolff has been quoted saying, “I would love to work with Max at least once.”
For the moment, however, any discussions regarding a potential transfer to the Mercedes Formula 1 team have been postponed until at least 2027. By then, the impact of the 2026 regulation changes will be clearer, and Verstappen will be in a better position to make an informed decision about his future—whether that involves staying with Red Bull or seeking new challenges elsewhere on the grid.
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