As Red Bull boss Christian Horner continues to make clear, Verstappen is under contract with the team through 2028. This allows Horner to dismiss the discussion around a potential Verstappen move as noise, as he did during the Austrian Grand Prix. However, as this former lawyer will tell you, there is always a way out.

Red Bull are “going to finish last” if Max Verstappen leaves the team for Mercedes for the F1 2026 season. That is the claim of Ted Kravitz, the Sky F1 reporter, who fears that the Austrian Grand Prix offered a worrying glimpse into life without the reigning four-time World Champion.

Reigning four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen is reportedly considering changing teams for the 2026 season.