Four-time champion Max Verstappen has allegedly accepted an offer to join Mercedes F1 team, according to recent reports.

Although the 27-year-old is currently contracted to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, both team principal Christian Horner and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko have alluded to an exit clause in Verstappen’s contract which could allow him to exit the team at the end of this year.

The Dutchman failed to finish last weekend’s Austrian GP after being knocked out of the race on lap one by Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli.

With Red Bull dropping to fourth in the constructors’ standings and Verstappen down in P3 in the drivers’ championship, Mercedes appear to be the more attractive team heading into the era of new regulations in 2026.

Wolff addressed the rumours of his interest in signing Verstappen in Spielberg last weekend, as did Russell, but nevertheless, no official contract announcement has been made concerning the future of Antonelli, Russell, or Verstappen.

GPFans has contacted Red Bull and Mercedes for comment on this report.