Months after speculation of a shock Mercedes move flared and faded, Max Verstappen has offered a rare glimpse into those discussions – and into the values that anchor him to a Red Bull team he openly calls family.
The Dutchman rarely invites uncertainty into his world. His career has been built on control, precision, and loyalty – qualities that have defined his relationship with Red Bull for a decade.
Yet earlier this year, a quiet ripple passed through the F1 paddock, one that hinted at conversations happening behind closed doors and raised a tantalising question: what would it actually take for Formula 1’s dominant force to walk away?
Rumours, Reality, and a Line Drawn
The rumours gathered pace midway through the 2025 season, fuelled by whispers of discontent and the looming uncertainty of Formula 1’s 2026 regulation overhaul.
Despite being contracted to Red Bull through the end of 2028, Verstappen’s name was suddenly at the centre of the grid’s most explosive “what if”.
That narrative was publicly shut down ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, when Verstappen confirmed he would remain with Red Bull into 2026.
“I think it's time to basically stop all the rumours, and for me it's always been quite clear that I was staying anyway,” he stated at the time.
But clarity does not mean conversations never happened.
Asked in a recent interview with BBC Sport how seriously he weighed a potential switch – and what truly matters to him when contemplating his future – Verstappen made it clear that Formula 1 performance alone would never be enough to force a decision.
"For me, it's not only about F1," said the four-time world champion. "There's a lot of things that have to come together for me to make a change. Future roles, stuff like that.
“So if I ever would make a change, of course, it's a big one for me because this definitely feels like a second family, and that's not easy to replicate, let's say, like that.
"The change, if I would ever make one, it's not only because I need a faster F1 car or I need a difference in the environment. There's a lot of things that are around my F1 career and things that I'm doing outside of F1 that all have to come together."
In those words lies the real intrigue: Verstappen’s loyalty is not contractual – it is cultural, emotional, and deeply personal.
Friendly Talks, Firm Foundations
Pressed on whether this philosophy meant the Mercedes discussions were never truly serious, Verstappen did not deny their existence – but he carefully framed their nature.
“I'm not going to lie. For sure, there were talks. But at the same time, it was all very friendly and open. Nothing more than that."
It was a measured admission, one that acknowledged curiosity without signalling temptation. For Verstappen, dialogue does not equate to doubt.
Instead, it reflects a driver acutely aware of his value and his future, yet grounded enough to know where he belongs – at least for now.
That sense of completeness extends beyond the Red Bull garage. Verstappen continues to broaden his identity as a racer, refusing to be confined by Formula 1 alone. Fresh off a victory on his GT3 debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in September, he spoke about the constant self-improvement that drives him.
He explained that he sharpens his edge by “always trying to look for details, trying to just learn about the car, learn about yourself, do a lot of things also outside of F1.”
"I'm driving, of course, a lot of different cars, external which I don't think it hurts you, racing in F1,” the 28-year-old continued. “So, yeah, just trying to make yourself a bit more of a complete driver, a bit more all-round."
For now, Verstappen remains firmly embedded at Red Bull, bound by trust, history, and a shared vision.
The talks with Mercedes may have flickered briefly in the background, but the foundations of his present – and near future – appear unshaken.
In a sport obsessed with speed and speculation, Verstappen’s message is quietly definitive: leaving Red Bull would take more than a faster car. It would require rewriting family.
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