The Formula -1 World in 2026 is in the magic of a possible change from Max Verstappen to Mercedes, a rumor that was fired bySky ItaliaThis reported that the four -time world champion gave the silver arrows. A recently unveiled unveiling of the Sky F1 reporter Craig Slater, which is based on a Red Bull insider, put the financial hurdle for this transmission in the spotlight. According to Slater, a package payment of more than £ 100 million would be required to separate Verstappen from his contract, which runs by 2028. Jos Verstappen, the father of Max, has confirmed this aspiring sum, which further feeds speculation about a departure at Red Bull. This development raises questions about the future of Verstappen and the dynamics both in Red Bull and Mercedes.

Verstappen’s current season at Red Bull is changeable, especially after the Grand Prix of Austria, where a collision with Mercedes-Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli led to a DNF for the Dutchman. With a deficit of 61 points to the World Cup manager Oscar Piatri and McLaren Technical Leader, the riots within Red Bull grow accordinglySporzaMercedes conducts “Explorative Discussions” with Verstappen, which has two performance -related termination clauses in his contract. If he is not among the top three of the driver’s championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix or if Red Bull does not end among the top 4 of the constructors of the championship, they can leave at no costs. Verstappen is currently third, nine points ahead of George Russell, and Red Bull celebrated, so that these clauses are currently not being activated.

If Verstappen remains within these limits, a package payment is inevitable. Slater reported aboutSky SportThat a Red Bull insider spoke of a lot of “more than nine digits” or more than £ 100 million. “In Red Bull there is an internal discussion about losing Verstappen or keeping an unfortunate Verstappen,” said Slater. “Forcing it or do you come to an arrangement like in football, where a player who usually wants to go?” Jos Verstappen confirmed this financial hurdle, which underlines the complexity of a transfer. Contributions to X like @crash_net_f1 emphasize the huge sum, while @gpfansnl suggests that Red Bull has determined this clause in such a way that they keep in view of the value for the team.

The situation in Red Bull is tense. The head of the Red Bull team, Christian Horner, tried the rumorsMotorsport.comAnd to say that “the rest is noise and does not come from us.” Nevertheless, Horner indicated a possible solution for men’s agreements, as in football, as in football, was allowed to exist on departure. Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko warned inWould loveThis unfortunate Verstappen can harm team dynamics, especially after the last internal tensions, including the departure from Adrian Newey to Aston Martin, as reportedRacecar-gineering.com. This instability increases speculation that Verstappen, which has been involved in Toto Wolffs Radar since 2014, is seriously going to Mercedes.

At Mercedes, the question arises as to who would be a teammate. George Russell is a logical choice with five wins and a recent victory in Canada, but his contract ends in 2025. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the eighteen -year -old Italian, is seen as a future star with a sprint stick in Miami and a stage in Canada. In an interview withCrash.netOn July 3, 2025, Antonelli said during the preparations for the Grand Prix Great Britain: “There is a lot going on, but my goal is to do my best. I know that the team has confidence in me.” He played talks with other teams and emphasized his loyalty to Mercedes: “I have this chance of Mercedes. I am very happy where I am.”

The choice between Russell and Antonelli is of crucial importance for Mercedes, especially with the new regulations of 2026, which the team can offer an advantage.Motorsport-total.comsuggests that Russell is preferred as a “rounded product” while Antonelli is a long -term investment. Contributions to X, as from @f1insider, speculates that Mercedes wants to keep both drivers, but Verstappen’s arrival could overshadow the development of Antonelli, as Marko warned. While the rumor mill is running, Verstappen is silent and the Formula -1 world is looking at how this financial and strategic puzzle will develop.