Kravitz states: 'Antonelli forces Verstappen into a tough spot'

19 June at 11:00

Last update 19 June at 11:06

Max Verstappen is now in the right place at Red Bull Racing. Despite the difficulties of recent weeks, the Dutchman is still competing for wins almost every weekend. Yet the Dutchman is in a tricky position for 2026, according to Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz.

This year, there has been much talk about Verstappen's possible departure from Red Bull Racing. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has revealed several times that he is open to the triple world champion's arrival.

Does Antonelli create an awkward situation for Verstappen

Kravitz states that there are those within the Verstappen camp who think Mercedes is the best place for the new rules in 2026. Here he added: "The only thing Max has to worry about, in terms of whether he should get into that seat so early, is 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Wolff has not yet decided whether he [Antonelli] will take over the seat."

Kravitz continued that Verstappen is in an awkward position because of Antonelli and George Russell, as they are favourites for the seat in 2026: "That is the only reason why Verstappen, at the end of this year or even at the beginning of next year, in the event of Helmut Marko' s departure, could say 'Then I'd like to go to Mercedes, that's what I'm going to do'."

However, it is already clear that Verstappen is not going to make this move to Mercedes for the time being. The Dutchman has decided to stay with the Austrian team for 2025, GPblog understands. Red Bull will probably just have the winning car in 2025, which means Verstappen does not want to leave.

This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.