Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff may have just signalled a change in direction for the 2026 season, and it could come at the worst possible moment for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The Silver Arrows have been keeping tabs on the 27-year-old for a while now,

Max Verstappen has been even more heavily linked with a move from Red Bull to F1 rivals Mercedes since long-serving team boss Christian Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies

Nelson Piquet Jr. on Verstappen/Mercedes F1 Talks “Because for two, or a year and a half, Pierre Waché has failed to make the car really drivable and good,” Schumacher surmised, which is a bigger reason for Verstappen to be unhappy at Red Bull.

Red Bull are set to lose a significant advantage over their Formula 1 rivals with reports suggesting that the FIA are planning to introduce a major rule change. Earlier this month came the shock news that Christian Horner had been sacked as Red Bull team principal.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has named George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the team's priority for the 2026 Formula One season. The revelation comes after Max Verstappen was strongly linked to Mercedes.

Toto Wolff has admitted he will miss his long-time rival Christian Horner following the Brits sacking by Red Bull; watch the Belgian GP Sprint on Saturday from 11am, with main Qualifying to follow at 3pm,