(Motorsport-Total.com) – As in previous years, Max Verstappen is a key figure in the Formula 1 driver market. Although the Dutchman is still tied to Red Bull until the end of 2028, because his contract includes exit clauses, he could leave the Bulls prematurely.
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A racing team that the four-time world champion has been repeatedly linked with for years is Mercedes. Although team boss Toto Wolff has repeatedly emphasized that he sees no reason to change the current driver lineup.
Expert Marc Surer, however, believes that the team from Brackley should “definitely” try to get Verstappen if he really decides to leave Red Bull. In an exclusive video interview on the YouTube channel of Formel1.de, he explains the background.
“A Verstappen racing against you is the worst thing you can have,” says Surer. “So you have to buy him just so he doesn’t race against you. That was already the case in the past,” recalls the long-time Formula 1 driver.
“If you have two top drivers, you might have an internal problem with number 1 and 2,” says Surer. “But that is a much ‘nicer’ problem than if [Verstappen] races against you,” he explains. Therefore, Mercedes must definitely try to sign the Dutchman.
But who should make room for Verstappen in such a scenario? Surer explains that Mercedes already has a top driver in their ranks with championship leader Kimi Antonelli. This means, conversely, that he would see George Russell on the chopping block.
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But would Verstappen himself even be interested in a change? “I can’t imagine that he [stays at Red Bull],” says Surer and explains: “If he has the chance, if he wants to continue racing, then he has to sit in the best car. He deserves that.”
And while Red Bull currently only ranks fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, the Silver Arrows are clearly leading the 2026 championship after six wins in the first seven races.
Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen recently told Sport Bild: “We want to continue the path with Red Bull and have Max finish his career here.” However, he also admitted that this should be done “of course with the possibility to win.”
So Red Bull must convince Verstappen that they can offer him this opportunity again in the coming years.
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