F1 news: Max Verstappen focused on improving at Red Bull while Mercedes speculation swirls
Max Verstappen was interviewed several times concerning a shocking potential move to Mercedes for the Formula 1,2026 season before the British Grand Prix of this weekend.
Meeting with the media in Silverstone Thursday, the Red Bull driver remained tight on rumors, saying that he had “nothing to add” while trying to avoid generating new titles.
“I have nothing to add,” he said during his media session in Silverstone. “What I said last week. Other people write things is great but it’s not for me.”
The rumors of shocking moving to Mercedes followed Verstappen and the whole F1 grid, from the paddock to the paddock in recent weeks. These rumors have taken steam in the last 48 hours when a report Sky Sports Italy said Verstappen had agreed to move to Mercedes.
The driver did his best to temper these stories during his media session in Silverstone on Thursday. When asked if he could imagine driving for another team, Verstappen moved to suppress this speculation.
“I’m going to say no, because if I say yes, people will make the headlines again, and that’s not what I want,” said Red Bull driver.
Verstappen then explained how he had long dreamed of driving for a team throughout his F1 career.
“I always told the team that it would be ideal, and I think they think in the same way, to end my Formula 1 career with a team,” added the pilot. “I think it would be something incredible, and that’s what we are still trying to achieve.”
What could have been the most notable from the comments of Verstappen on Thursday is how he managed the idea that he would continue the fastest car of the grid. A large part of speculation on a potential movement in Mercedes is rooted in the concept that silver arrows could be on the front from next season. The 2026 campaign brings a host of new technical regulations to sport, with the potential to shake the hierarchical order.
These incoming regulations include modifications made to the power unit, because next season, there will be a 50/50 division between the internal combustion engine (ice) and electrical power.
The paddock has been alive with a chatter for weeks that Mercedes can have an advantage when the regulations arrive, perhaps because of the domination they displayed from 2014, with the arrival of turbocharged power units. This story, associated with a chatter of impressive test results, led to the conclusion that Verstappen would favor a visit to Mercedes if they really have the fastest car next season.
But speaking Thursday, Verstappen stressed the difficulty of chasing the fastest car.
“It is in any case difficult in Formula 1 to always try to be in the fastest car, because then you have to look to the future. Who would have known that two years ago
“I think the only goal I have right now is to try to improve the situation.
“We are not where we want to be, I think it’s quite clear, but at the same time, next year can change again. So, even if you try to hunt the fastest car now, it may not be the fastest car next year.
“This is exactly what F1 is. Sometimes you are lucky, you earn titles from Trois-Quatre-Six-Six-Sept, who knows? That’s also part of the game.”
Speculation on the pilot’s transfer market is also part of the game. And the status of Verstappen as undoubtedly the first talent on the grid only increases this speculation.
No matter how much he tries to stamp this speculation.
