Brown lights a fuse, bets on Verstappen joining Mercedes in 2026!

The 2025 Formula 1 season has barely begun, but McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has already dropped a bombshell prediction: Max Verstappen, the sport’s reigning superstar, will abandon Red Bull at the end of the year and defect to arch-rivals Mercedes.

With the Dutch driver’s long-term contract – signed after his first title in 2021 – tying him to Red Bull until 2028, Brown’s bold assertion challenges conventional wisdom and ignites speculation about a seismic shift in F1’s power dynamics.

Conjecture surrounding Verstappen’s future at Red Bull has intensified as the team prepares to part ways with Honda at the end of the year.

From 2026 onward, the Milton Keynes-based will develop its own power units in collaboration with Ford, a significant shift that has already seen key figures like chief technical officer Adrian Newey depart the team.

This shake-up has inevitably sparked concerns about the stability and competitiveness of the team moving forward and fueled whispers about Verstappen’s future.

In a candid interview with The Telegraph, Brown voiced his belief that the four-time world champion’s loyalty to Red Bull won’t last much longer.

“I think he’ll leave at the end of this year,” the McLaren chief said. “Most likely to Merc.”

It’s a statement that cuts through the noise of F1’s rumor mill, pointing to a potential blockbuster move that would pair Verstappen with Mercedes, a team that dominated the turbo-hybrid era and remains a formidable force.

Not Just One Suitor

Brown’s reasoning hinges on Mercedes’ pedigree and stability – qualities he believes will lure Verstappen away from a Red Bull squad facing uncharted waters.

“There’s been talk of Aston Martin, too, with Adrian Newey joining,” he continued, referencing reports of a high value offer to reunite Verstappen with Newey and Honda at Aston Martin.

“But as great as Adrian is – and he’s the greatest ever – you need a whole team around you. You need the culture. That takes time.”

For Brown, Aston Martin’s allure pales next to Mercedes’ proven might.

“If I was betting, I’d bet on Merc. In the last 10 years, they’ve won the championship seven or eight times. Last year they won five races. They have stability,” he argued.

“We know Toto [Wolff] likes him. And I think we all feel HPP [Mercedes High Performance Powertrains] is best-equipped on the power unit side heading into the new engine regulations next year.”

Mercedes’ Lineup: A Domino Effect?

Brown’s vision extends beyond Verstappen’s move – he sees it triggering a ripple effect at Mercedes. With George Russell’s contract expiring at the end of 2025 and young prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli on flexible one-year deals, the pieces could align for a dramatic reshuffle.

“George is out of contract at the end of this season and Kimi will be on a series of one-years,” Brown noted, hinting at a scenario where Russell might be squeezed out to accommodate Verstappen.

It’s a tantalizing prospect: the reigning champion joining forces with Toto Wolff, a team principal known for his relentless pursuit of talent, at a time when Mercedes is poised to capitalize on the 2026 engine regulation shakeup.

No Love Lost Between Brown and Horner

But the prediction isn’t just about strategy – it’s also personal to a certain extent. Brown’s fraught relationship with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner adds a layer of venom to his words.

Horner famously called Brown a “prick” last year, in a fly on the wall moment captured by the production crews of Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ docu-series, a remark which Brown did not shy away from addressing.

“There’s no love lost there. I don’t like how he rolls and no doubt he feels the same about me,” he admitted.

“But I think it’s good for the sport. You need different characters. You need these rivalries. Some are friendly, sporting rivalries. Some are a bit more vicious. It’s always been like that.”

This animosity, genuine and unfiltered, fuels Brown’s willingness to poke the Red Bull beast – and perhaps underscores his delight in forecasting their loss of Verstappen.

Brown Clarifies Stance on Max

Despite the animosity, Brown has not hesitated to praise Verstappen’s talent, even while criticizing his aggressive driving in clashes with McLaren’s own Lando Norris.

Reflecting on a past comment that Verstappen could only win in the fastest car, Brown clarified his stance.

“He’s not going to take a car that’s 15th and win in it,” he said, adding, “but he might be able to take a car that’s third-quickest and win it.”

For now, Verstappen remains a Red Bull driver, his focus ostensibly on defending his title in 2025. But Brown’s provocative call has lit a fuse under the season, turning every race into a referendum on Red Bull’s stability and Mercedes’ resurgence.

If Verstappen does jump ship, it would be a coup for Wolff and a gut punch for Horner, reshaping F1’s competitive landscape.

As the paddock buzzes with speculation, Brown’s words hang in the air, a daring prophecy from a man who thrives on stirring the pot.

Whether it’s foresight or wishful thinking, one thing is certain: Zak Brown has ensured that Verstappen’s future is the story to watch.

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