Verpappen before changing? McLaren boss brings unrest to the F1 paddock!

Verpappen before changing? McLaren boss brings unrest to the F1 paddock!

Krone AT, Österreich - Formula 1 is in turmoil! Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, could leave the Red Bull Arena after this season or even switch to Mercedes! In an interview with the British “Telegraph”, McLaren team boss Zak Brown caused a sensation when he claimed that Verstappen will most likely switch to Mercedes at the end of the 2025 season. Brown estimates that Verstappen has the opportunity to switch to Aston Martin, but he clearly bets his bet on Mercedes. "If I were betting, however, I would rely on Mercedes," said Brown.

Helmut Marko, the motorsport consultant at Red Bull, reacted to this speculation before the Sprint Qualifying on Friday. "But the situation is not yet as black as ZAC would like to see the situation," said Marko in an interview with "Sky". However, he admits that it could be difficult to keep four times the world champion if the team performance is falling this season. "Max wants to have a car with which he can win. If we cannot put it down, it will be difficult to keep him," continues Marko.

Verstappen and the future at Red Bull

Verstappen still has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, but the uncertainties about the performance of the team this season could influence his decision. The rumors about a move to Mercedes have increased, especially after Lewis Hamilton announced his contract extension with Ferrari. It is speculated that Toto Wolff, the team boss of Mercedes, favors Verstappen to replace the seven -time world champion.

Developments around Verstappen, the future of which in Formula 1 and the potential team changes are observed closely. Brown points out that the stability of Mercedes and the upcoming racing rules about the new engines in 2026 could be a decisive advantage for Verstappen. "We know that Toto likes him," added Brown, which further fueled the speculations about Verstappen.