Verstappen stays with Red Bull Racing and slams Mercedes' interest

With an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour by Christian Horner, 2024 got off to an explosive start for Red Bull Racing. The investigation into Horner was accompanied by a power struggle behind the scenes. Horner was diametrically opposed to Red Bull Austria, Helmut Marko and also the Verstappens. Horner's opponents, for instance, repeatedly pleaded for his departure.

However, after eight Grands Prix in the 2024 Formula 1 season, Horner is still in his role. The Red Bull Racing team boss was acquitted and, behind the scenes, little is expected of the prosecution's appeal. Horner even received the public support of Oliver Mintzlaff, the CEO of Red Bull Austria.

Will Verstappen go to Mercedes?

Still, rumblings continued behind the scenes, especially around Max Verstappen. Although the Dutchman had a contract until 2028 at Red Bull Racing, various clauses would allow him to leave the team earlier. Horner would not stand in the way of his departure either, as "nobody is bigger than the team", the Briton claimed.

Marko, in particular, would play an important role in all this. It is no secret that Verstappen and Marko are loyal to each other. When Horner threatened to sack Red Bull's advisor, Verstappen spoke out loud that he would leave Red Bull Racing if that happened. As a result, Marko is still in place, and so is Verstappen.

Since the turmoil within Red Bull Racing, Verstappen has been linked to Mercedes. Toto Wolff has repeatedly expressed that Verstappen is the top candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025. Although talks between the two parties have been denied by those involved, it should be clear that Wolff wanted to do all he could to bring Verstappen to Mercedes.

With the turmoil within Red Bull Racing, Wolff also seemed to have a good chance of being successful. Mercedes has the resources to bring in a driver like Verstappen and an attractive story for 2026 when the new regulations take effect. However, on-track performance is disappointing. Mercedes are the fourth fastest team on the grid in 2024 and are even beaten by customer team McLaren. Whereas Ferrari and McLaren pose a serious threat to Red Bull and Verstappen this year, Mercedes have not yet been able to do so.

Why Verstappen is staying at Red Bull

GPblog has learned that Verstappen will simply stay with Red Bull Racing in 2025. Red Bull will have a winning car in 2024, and with the regulations remaining the same, Verstappen at Red Bull Racing in 2025 is also likely to have a car to compete for the title. A departure to a team that has no current success already seemed unlikely.

However, Mercedes' door will remain open. New regulations go into effect in 2026 and there are question marks over the Red Bull Powertrains engine project, namely suggestion they are lagging behind the competition. Mercedes expect that, as in 2014, they can take a big lead over the competition with the new engine.

And for the new Mercedes era from 2026, there is still room for Verstappen. Although Verstappen will not make the switch in 2025, George Russell's contract expires at the end of 2025. So at least one seat will become available and possibly a second. Should Andrea Kimi Antonelli still not be deemed good enough for a Mercedes seat in 2025, it is an open secret that Esteban Ocon is in the picture to sign a one-year deal with Mercedes.

For now, however, Verstappen will stay with Red Bull Racing, and that is only logical. Verstappen wants to win and can do that in the best possible car. If you can choose between a Red Bull and a Mercedes in 2025, you will always choose a Red Bull. Even Toto Wolff thought that was the most logical choice for Verstappen.