Max Verstappen’s F1 future remains uncertain, but according to one star of the sport, Red Bull’s chiefs have already given up their attempts to keep the Dutchman interested.

The four-time champion had entered the 2025 season with hopes of matching Michael Schumacher’s record of earning five consecutive titles, but halfway through the year, his chances of doing so have reduced significantly.

After 12 rounds of the championship, a lot has changed for Verstappen and Red Bull, most recently with the immediate sacking of team principal Christian Horner.

The shock dismissal has seen former Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies take over the role, but it could be too little too late given the rumours of Verstappen’s interest in a move to Mercedes.

Even before Horner’s sacking, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed his interest and subsequent talks with Verstappen, with a move to the Silver Arrows no longer out of the question.

McLaren’s success off the back of their constructors’ victory in 2024 has carried over into this year, with both drivers currently ahead of Verstappen in the drivers’ standings and the papaya outfit storming ahead in the team standings.

Verstappen and his carousel of team-mates have all stated that the RB21, primarily designed by Pierre Wache, is impossible to drive, suggesting that Newey’s absence has started to really take its toll.