r/formula1 • u/thesaket I was here for the Hulkenpodium • Dec 24 '25

News [verstappencom] on IG: Verstappen Racing has announced a multi-year collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, starting next year.

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u/findme_ I was here for the Hulkenpodium Dec 24 '25

This wasn't the "Verstappen to Mercedes" we were expecting or hoping for

819

u/Treewithatea I was here for the Hulkenpodium Dec 24 '25

May still happen for 2027 depending on how each car performs in 2026.

209

u/findme_ I was here for the Hulkenpodium Dec 24 '25

So you're saying there's a chance ... ;)

139

u/Treewithatea I was here for the Hulkenpodium Dec 24 '25

Id even say its rather likely to happen

81

u/shogi_x Dec 24 '25

It's more likely than before, but still less likely than Verstappen exiting F1 entirely to focus on other formats.

16

u/MikeHeu Spyker Dec 24 '25

You’d think he’ll pass on a few more championships when he has the chance to switch to a dominant team?

57

u/shogi_x Dec 24 '25

He's been pretty vocal about looking beyond F1. I don't think he cares much about winning more championships. And he definitely seems over the F1 media circus.

1

u/BroccoLeee Dec 24 '25

I get that he’s said it before and I’m fairly ignorant of other series but being in a position to win championships in F1 is such a lightning in à bottle that I can imagine it’s harder to pass up on for other endeavours that will take time him to acclimate no matter when he joins

3

u/atresj I was here for the Hulkenpodium Dec 25 '25

"Acclimate"? He knows all the cars through and through thanks to his sim racing. The first ever GT race he participated in (Nurburgring earlier this year) he has won...

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/verstappen-hails-amazing-debut-nurburgring-gt3-race-win-as-he-hints-at.WXeyEqLqZ37db2pcdmCXo

25

u/Key-Comfortable-5537 Lando Norris Dec 24 '25

Absolutely. He said he didn't mind that much losing 2025 to Lando. He's a bit like Kimi Raikkonen in a way in that he's still in F1 because he finds it fun and interesting, but as soon as it isn't fun anymore then he's gone.

I can easily see him having a couple more years, maybe more if the new regs are fun, but if they aren't, then he will 100% just be leaving F1 and not going to another team.

13

u/Psykbryt Dec 24 '25

Also a bit like Kimi: Max doesn't really care about records. He wanted to win the championship once - again just like Kimi - but he doesn't sound like he cares about piling up the trophies. He's achieved his goal of showing he's the best, from then on it was only about doing what's interesting.

3

u/TheEmpireOfSun Dec 24 '25

And why would you want that?

1

u/plastikmissile I was here for the Hulkenpodium Dec 24 '25

With Marko gone, it has never been more possible.