Jolyon Palmer suspects Mercedes’ interest in signing Max Verstappen is already starting to fade

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Speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 is ramping up again after his complaints about the 2026 regulations, but Jolyon Palmer reckons his chances of joining Mercedes are slim.

The Dutchman openly detests the regulation changes in F1 this season, calling it ‘anti-racing’ due to the electrification of the power unit and the need to recharge the battery down straights.

After three races, he is sitting ninth in the standings with 12 points, and it has left Verstappen considering his future in F1. Retirement is a real possibility, but given all the speculation around the Red Bull driver last year, links to Mercedes have intensified again.

Should Red Bull have given up on the 2025 title to prioritise 2026?

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The 28-year-old was heavily linked with the Silver Arrows in 2025, with Toto Wolff having private chats with Verstappen at numerous points. However, no move materialised, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli keeping their seats.

So far, the Brackley outfit have won every race in 2026, with the team having the best power unit and overall package. With Russell and Antonelli looking so dominant, Palmer wonders if Mercedes are still seriously interested in Verstappen.

Jolyon Palmer does not think Mercedes are ‘desperate’ to sign Max Verstappen anymore

Discussing the four-time champion’s future via F1 Nation, the former Renault F1 driver said: “If George and Kimi are both driving well, are you thinking you’re still desperate to put Max in the car? I don’t know.

“If you’ve got a happy partnership, and they’re winning… Obviously, we know Max has got all the talent in the world, and surely, as the pecking order gets closer, the cars will develop as well and get more akin to something that Max wants to drive.

“But I don’t feel like it’s quite the same as last year when we saw him at the peak of his powers, wanting and having that hunger.

“So I think, if you’re George and Kimi, I think you’re kind of enjoying the fact that Max isn’t loving life right now. I’m sure he’s still looking at a team that can win races. But then there’s a whole bigger picture with Max.”

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

Several factors could prevent Max Verstappen from joining Mercedes

It has been reported that Verstappen has a ‘Mercedes or nothing’ mentality in F1. He wants to be winning races, and the Silver Arrows currently have the best package to do just that.

Red Bull are struggling to keep up with the field as they experience issues with the chassis. The new regulations have got Verstappen disillusioned with the sport, but he is supposedly keeping tabs on Mercedes.

What do Red Bull need to do to convince Max Verstappen to stay in F1?

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However, multiple factors could deny a move. Firstly, Mercedes may not ‘guarantee’ Verstappen’s £60m salary that he is currently earning at Red Bull.

Then there is the issue of his teammate, with Russell and Antonelli allegedly having long-term contracts. Verstappen would be reticent about joining Mercedes as Russell’s teammate, given their public feud in the past.