Max Verstappen reportedly agrees to join Mercedes for 2026 season

According to Sky Sport Italia, Max Verstappen has reportedly given initial approval to join the Mercedes team for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Speculation about the Dutch driver’s move emerges ahead of the 2025 British GP — despite previous repeated denials from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Verstappen himself.

Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull Racing originally runs until 2028, but a performance clause exists that could allow the 27-year-old driver to terminate his contract early.

Sky Sport Italia reports that contract negotiations are ongoing, although some Mercedes board members haven’t fully approved the recruitment plan.

The possibility of Verstappen moving to the Silver Arrows team grows stronger — coinciding with the declining performance of Milton Keynes-based Red Bull Racing after their dominance in previous seasons.