Max Verstappen “won’t be” at Red Bull at the start of the F1 2026 season amid persistent rumours of a move to Mercedes.

Will Max Verstappen swap Red Bull for Mercedes for F1 2026?

Horner confirmed to media including PlanetF1.com at August’s Dutch Grand Prix that Verstappen’s contract contains a “performance element” allowing him to leave the team before the end of his contract in 2028.

Appearing on Crash in the Kitchen, Doornbos said: “It will be difficult for Christian to keep Max on board.”

Appearing on the Sky F1 podcast, he said: “He was asked after the race: if we start the F1 season like we’ve ended, does that put you guys in a really difficult position as a team?