Why Max Verstappen Could Jump Ship to Mercedes in 2025: The Fear of Missing Out on F1’s Future

A hypothesis has been put forward regarding why Max Verstappen might consider departing from Red Bull to join Mercedes in 2025.

It's been suggested that Max Verstappen might consider moving from Red Bull to Mercedes in 2025 if he believes he could lose a seat with the team for the 2026 F1 season.

According to Sky Sports pitlane journalist Ted Kravitz, Max Verstappen might consider leaving Red Bull before 2026 primarily due to concerns about being outperformed by Mercedes' young talent, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Max Verstappen is set to stay with Red Bull through the conclusion of the 2028 season. He has expressed that he has no plans to depart, even though Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been actively pursuing him to fill the spot of Lewis Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari next season.

Sources suggest that Verstappen’s contract includes multiple exit options that might permit him to leave Red Bull ahead of schedule if he chooses. Additionally, there have been claims that the three-time world champion is worried about Red Bull’s new engine initiative set for 2026.

Sources indicate that Mercedes is leading the race in developing new power units for F1, sparking rumors that Verstappen might consider changing teams.

However, it's believed that Mercedes is considering advancing F2 standout Antonelli for the 2025 season. Additionally, George Russell is under contract through at least the end of next year, which might leave no available positions at the German automaker.

"Max is allowed to depart under specific circumstances. One such scenario is if he simply chooses to. Another condition involves Helmut Marko; if Marko leaves, then Max is free to leave as well," Kravitz mentioned in the most recent episode of the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

Max Verstappen's contract is similar to the one Sebastian Vettel had with Red Bull, which permitted Vettel to move to Ferrari. Essentially, it includes exit clauses for both parties.

In essence, if Max is considering a move to Mercedes for 2026, believing it to be the best option under the new rules—as some in the Verstappen camp reportedly do—his main concern would be securing his spot ahead of a young 17-year-old Italian driver named Kimi Antonelli. It's up to Toto Wolff to decide whether Antonelli will take that seat.

"If Max envisions that he might not secure that position, making it more challenging for himself by 2026 due to Antonelli and George Russell already being part of the team, then that could be the sole reason for Max, either by the end of this year, towards the end, or even at the start of the next year, to decide, 'Alright, if Helmut Marko departs and that’s his chosen exit strategy, I want to move to Mercedes, and that’s my plan.'"

"If he believes he can still compete for Red Bull Racing in 2025, and A) his worries about 2026 are baseless, he can fulfill his contract until it ends. Alternatively, B) if he finds a way to replace a Mercedes driver and decides to join them in 2026, he could remain with Red Bull for 2025. Ultimately, this decision is up to him."

Nevertheless, Kravitz firmly believes that Verstappen will remain with Red Bull for at least another season.

“There’s a lot of speculation and what-ifs, but I’m almost certain that Verstappen and Perez will be with Red Bull next year. I’d say I’m 99% sure,” he wrapped up.

Sky Sports analyst Bernie Collins remarked, "They will argue that, by contract, he is committed until 2025, which means that position is already taken."

"It’s understood that his contract includes specific clauses allowing him to exit if particular criteria are fulfilled. Considering the car performances, 2025 seems to be his favored option. However, uncertainties remain for 2026 due to the upcoming regulation changes."

"I can't imagine him moving to another team, but then again, I didn't expect Lewis to switch teams either."

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