Max Verstappen may now have to take ‘pay cut’ to force Mercedes to drop George Russell for 2027

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George Russell is “100 per cent” sure that he will be racing for Mercedes in 2027, but Max Verstappen may still pose a threat for his seat if the Red Bull ace takes a pay cut.

Questions about which team Verstappen will drive for next term have been plentiful already in 2026. Along with his frustrations about F1’s new regulations producing an engine formula he hates, Red Bull’s troubles adapting to the rules are likely to bring an exit clause into play.

Verstappen included a number of possible release clauses in his contract when he agreed to commit to Red Bull through 2028 back in 2022. So far, Red Bull are yet to see any of the exit clauses become active, but Verstappen is on course to meet the criteria of the one for 2026.

It is believed that Verstappen will have from August until October to use his release clause if he enters the 2026 summer break outside the top two in the F1 drivers’ standings. With four rounds until the break, the four-time champion is seventh and he trails second by 60 points.

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Max Verstappen to Mercedes in 2027 is not impossible if he takes a ‘reasonable pay cut’

Reports have now emerged that McLaren have held preliminary talks with Verstappen about a switch for 2027, or potentially 2028. But Mercedes have often been seen as the most likely destination if Verstappen were to quit Red Bull, and the door may still be ajar for him to join.

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According to PlanetF1, while Mercedes would need to ‘unceremoniously’ release Russell to open a seat for Verstappen, the door is not closed. However, Verstappen might now have to take a ‘reasonable pay cut’ to join Mercedes – which could in turn create a place at Red Bull if they look elsewhere for Russell, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri or Williams’ Carlos Sainz to claim.

It also has to be said that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed that he warned Verstappen’s agent last year that a low bid would come in 2026 if they had the best car. Wolff teased that he would only pay Verstappen “10%” of the €100m (£86.5m) he was demanding at the time.

Ralf Schumacher certainly believes that Mercedes do not intend to offer Verstappen a huge wage to join them in 2027. While Jos Verstappen, Max’s dad, denies the claim, Schumacher claims Mercedes’ offer to Verstappen was “so bad” that it was simply “out of the question”.

George Russell is ‘100 per cent’ sure he will drive for Mercedes in 2027

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Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager, has revealed that he will tell Red Bull his plans “soon”, and even claims the Dutchman will “remain loyal” to the team. But the main aspect that will decide the 28-year-old’s future will be having a competitive car in the 2027 season.

At present, Mercedes and Ferrari have the cars to beat, but neither appears to have a place available for Verstappen in 2027. Ferrari have signed Charles Leclerc to a new contract, and Lewis Hamilton has insisted that he has a contract keeping him in Maranello through 2027.

READ MORE: The best moments of George Russell’s career in Formula 1

Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s contract for Mercedes is also believed to be a multi-year deal. And while Russell only signed a 1+1-year contract to stay with Mercedes for 2026, the Briton is adamant that he is on course to meet the automatic extension in his terms for next season.

Russell said, via The Telegraph: “No announcement this weekend. But I’ll be racing here next year, 100 per cent. It hasn’t even been discussed. We don’t need to discuss it. It’s not even a question.”

It is widely known that Russell’s contract with Mercedes has a performance clause that will automatically extend his stay through 2027 if he meets an unspecified goal in 2026. Russell has confirmed the clause exists, but will not say whether he is currently meeting the target.

Russell continued: “I don’t want to go into any more detail. But I will be here next year, and that’s the fact of it.”