F1 fans are all saying the same thing as Toto Wolff finally addresses Max Verstappen to Mercedes rumours

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Rumours surrounding Max Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes have intensified in recent months, as Toto Wolff assesses his plans for 2026.

The Mercedes boss and George Russell confirmed that the team were speaking to the four-time champion at the Austrian GP. Verstappen has been questioned intensely over the matter ever since, but has remained tight-lipped about his future.

Mercedes have been interested in signing the Dutchman since last season, but have ramped up their efforts in 2025 amid his frustrations at Red Bull. Verstappen is 69 points behind Oscar Piastri as the Milton Keynes outfit have regressed in performance over the last 18 months.

His dissatisfaction with the RB21 and its lack of progress has led to concerns about the 2026 F1 regulations and the team’s power unit. Red Bull are legitimately worried about their engine next season, while Mercedes are tipped to have the strongest one.

This has prompted speculation that the 27-year-old is looking for a way out. Wolff and Verstappen were both in Sardinia over the three-week break before the Belgian GP, but despite rumours, no meeting was held between the two.

Verstappen’s exit clause in his Red Bull contract has left people wondering when he will make the move to the Silver Arrows. Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, Wolff finally addressed the situation and gave an answer that fans are not happy with.

F1 fans think Max Verstappen will have a disastrous season with Red Bull as Toto Wolff won’t sign him at Mercedes for 2026

Wolff confirmed that his ‘absolute priority’ was to keep current drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026. Neither has signed a new contract, with rumours swirling that either driver could leave Mercedes and make way for Verstappen.

It seemed likely that Verstappen would not leave Red Bull until 2027 so he could properly assess the pecking order next season. But now Wolff has confirmed that it is the case, and given the concerns about Red Bull in 2026, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to predict a disastrous year for Verstappen.

“A zero-win season coming next year,” said one fan. Another added: “Brilliant. So that’s the rest of this year and next year stuffed.”

Many believe that Verstappen will fall right to the back of the grid in 2026, as one fan said: “I’m not even gonna feel bad for him when he’s barely scratching points next season.” Red Bull would be bottom of the championship without Verstappen in 2025, having scored 165 out of 172 of their points.

“I will definitely not watch that torture season,” said another disgruntled fan. One user even went as far to say that: “Yeah Max is not going to win any more titles.”

Finally, another fan wrote: “Anyone who is happy about this is either not a real Verstappen fan. Or they really don’t understand F1. Next year we’ll see Max at the back of the field, fighting with the worst car to sometimes score points. If it’s true that he stays, he killed his own career.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Where Max Verstappen stands with leaving Red Bull amid Mercedes rumours

Mercedes would offer a ‘ballpark figure’ to Verstappen to race for them in 2026. But with Wolff seemingly ruling that out, Russell and Antonelli are set to keep their seats.

Verstappen’s ‘heart’ tells him to stay at Red Bull and help build the team back to the front of the grid. But a possible exit is playing on his mind.

Verstappen has more favourable exit clauses in 2026 that would facilitate an easier departure. With Christian Horner gone, it is up to new team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies to steady the ship and show Verstappen that Red Bull can be competitive next season.

But if the team turn out to perform as badly as many are predicting, it would be no surprise to see the Dutchman seek new pastures. Verstappen is even now considering Aston Martin as an option, as the team are on the ‘back of his mind’ given the links to Adrian Newey and Honda.