The Formula 1 world is buzzing with speculation about the future of Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion that has been the absolute star of Red Bull Racing for years. Recently the rumors about a possible switch to Mercedes have become stronger, fed by tensions within the Red Bull team and statements by adviser Helmut Marko. The dynamics between Verstappen and his team seem to be on a tipping point, and the pressure that Marko exerts, both internally and in the media, plays a crucial role in this story.
The 2025 season has proved to be a challenge for Red Bull. Despite Verstappens unparalleled talent and his ability to win races, the team is struggling with a car that is not always competitive. In Miami it became painfully clear how big the gap is with McLaren, when Verstappen finished fourth with a backlog of almost forty seconds. Helmut Marko, the man who once brought Verstappen to Formula 1, openly expressed his frustration and emphasized that the RB21 is too difficult to control and that the balance problems are troubling the team. He spoke about the “max factor”, which he referred to Verstappens exceptional driving skills that compensates for the shortcomings of the car. But how long can Verstappen persist?
The relationship between Verstappen and Marko has always been close, but recent developments suggest that cracks arise. Marko’s harsh words after races such as those in Bahrain, where Verstappen was only sixth due to balance problems and inefficient pit stops, have increased tensions. Verstappen himself has indicated that he needs a car with which he can win, and rumors about performance clauses in his contract further feed the speculations. These clauses would enable him to leave Red Bull if the team does not meet certain sporting expectations. Although Marko denies that these clauses are directly linked to the world championship position, the uncertainty about Verstappen’s future remains great.
Mercedes, led by team boss Toto Wolff, follows the situation closely. Already in 2024 there were open conversations between the Verstappenkamp and Mercedes, and Wolff never made a secret of his admiration for the Dutchman. With George Russell as a current driver, but without a guaranteed top driver for 2026, Mercedes seems a serious option for Verstappen. Sources report that Mercedes would even be willing to offer Marko a role, if necessary to convince Verstappen. This scenario was already mentioned earlier this year by BBC Sport, which reported that Marko is solidarity in Verstappen and is willing to step up at Red Bull if it is necessary to facilitate Verstappen’s wishes.
However, the pressure from Red Bull does not only seem technical in nature. There is unrest internally, partly due to the changing of teammates. The choice to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda as Verstappen’s teammate led to dissatisfaction with the Dutchman, who thought Lawson was unjustly relegated. Marko defended this decision and stated that the difference between the Red Bull and Racing Bulls cars is not that great, a statement that arrived painfully among the engineers in Milton Keynes. This kind of public comments from Marko, combined with his warnings that Verstappen may leave if the performance does not improve, create a tense atmosphere.
Yet not everything is lost for Red Bull. Marko remains optimistic and emphasizes that updates are coming to improve the RB21, as planned for the race in Imola. Moreover, he has faith in Verstappens loyalty to the team that made him big. In an interview with Sport Bild earlier this year, Marko stated that Verstappen will still ride for Red Bull in 2026, and as a five -time world champion. But with McLaren and Mercedes that seem technically stronger and the pressure that increases internally, the question is whether Red Bull can deliver on this promise.
For Verstappen itself it seems a matter of waiting. His focus is on winning races, but the signals indicate growing frustration. If Red Bull cannot deliver a winning car quickly, the switch to Mercedes, a team that is currently showing an upward trend, would become increasingly likely. The Formula 1 world holds its breath: does Verstappen remain faithful to Red Bull, or will he soon start a new chapter in his career?
