Max Verstappen has given an insight into the talks that were held earlier in the year over a potential Mercedes switch, with the Dutchman also reflecting on the factors that would matter to him if he were to consider a move away from Red Bull in the future.
Despite holding a contract to race for the Milton Keynes-based outfit through to the end of 2028, speculation linking Verstappen to a possible Mercedes move started to mount during the middle of the 2025 season.
This was brought to a close ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix in August when Verstappen confirmed that he would be driving for Red Bull in 2026, adding: “I think it’s time to basically stop all the rumours, and for me it’s always been quite clear that I was staying anyway.”
Several months on, the four-time World Champion was quizzed during an interview with BBC Sport on how seriously he considered a possible move, leading him to explain how various elements would play a part in any decision about his future.
“For me, it’s not only about F1,” said Verstappen, who has been a part of Red Bull’s line-up since his promotion from Toro Rosso in 2016. “There’s a lot of things that have to come together for me to make a change. Future roles, stuff like that.
“So if I ever would make a change, of course, it’s a big one for me because this definitely feels like a second family, and that’s not easy to replicate, let’s say, like that.
“The change, if I would ever make one, it’s not only because I need a faster F1 car or I need a difference in the environment. There’s a lot of things that are around my F1 career and things that I’m doing outside of F1 that all have to come together.”
Pushed further on whether this means that it was not something he was seriously considering at the time, Verstappen responded: “I’m not going to lie. For sure, there were talks. But at the same time, it was all very friendly and open. Nothing more than that.”
Verstappen – who won on his GT3 debut at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in September – also spoke of his desire to continue improving as a driver, adding that he does this by “always trying to look for details, trying to just learn about the car, learn about yourself, do a lot of things also outside of F1.”
“I’m driving, of course, a lot of different cars, external which I don’t think it hurts you, racing in F1,” the 28-year-old continued. “So, yeah, just trying to make yourself a bit more of a complete driver, a bit more all-round.”
