By Joe Murphy
Well this would certainly be something. Verstappen is tied down until 2028 but Russell only has six months left. Recent developments have made this swap proposal a stark reality. Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, all eyes are now on these drivers more than ever!
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that the team is interested in signing Max Verstappen for the 2026 F1 season. According to Wolff, Mercedes is exploring the possibility of signing the four-time world champion, although he believes George Russell is more likely to drive for Mercedes next season.
Change to F1 Calendar for 2026
Russell, whose contract with Mercedes expires at the end of this season, has claimed that negotiations between Mercedes and Verstappen are ongoing and are delaying his own contract talks. However, Wolff has disputed this, stating that Russell’s contract negotiations are on track and that discussions about Verstappen do not affect their plans for Russell.
Verstappen is currently contracted to Red Bull until 2028, but his contract includes clauses that could allow him to leave earlier if Red Bull fails to provide a competitive car. Wolff is keen on signing Verstappen, but wants to keep conversations private, stating that they need to be had “behind closed doors”.
Wolff has also expressed openness to pairing Verstappen and Russell, citing his experience managing intense driver relationships in the past, such as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg’s. The 2026 F1 season will bring new engine regulations, and teams will be evaluating their options to maximise competitiveness. Mercedes’ decision on their driver lineup will be crucial in determining their championship prospects.
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