Max Verstappen was right all along about Mercedes’ 2026 engine as new details emerge from F1 ‘grapevine’

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Max Verstappen will be keeping a watchful eye on the pecking order in the 2026 Formula 1 season, as Mercedes try to lure him to Brackley.

The Dutchman’s future at Red Bull has been one of the most widely discussed topics in the 2025 season. Verstappen has been bombarded by questions in the paddock about where he will be come 2026.

Chief advisor Helmut Marko ruled out any move for the four-time champion next season at the Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen’s contract runs until 2028, making a deal hard to negotiate for Mercedes.

The Silver Arrows have been heavily linked with the Dutchman for some time, with Toto Wolff being a keen admirer. However, it has now been reported that Mercedes buying Verstappen out of his contract is not a possibility, with it being suggested that Red Bull would demand nine figures.

Verstappen is not expected to move until 2027 as he wants to assess where the teams are under the 2026 F1 regulations. Amid the noise coming out of the Mercedes camp for next season, one of the 27-year-old’s predictions has been vindicated.

F1 ‘grapevine’ suggests Mercedes have the edge with their ICE in 2026 but not the battery, as Max Verstappen predicted

The consensus is that Mercedes will have the fastest engine in 2026. The Brackley outfit have a strong track record with new regulations, as seen by their dominance in the turbo hybrid era.

Meanwhile, there are concerns surrounding Red Bull’s first power unit next season, which they are designing in collaboration with Ford. Rumours have suggested that the team are down on power, hence the speculation that Verstappen could move to Mercedes.

Journalist Andrew Benson discussed the new regulations via BBC Sport. While he says there is ‘no way for anyone’ to know where Red Bull’s engine is lacking, the ‘grapevine’ suggests Mercedes do have the edge with their internal combustion engine in 2026.

“The first thing to say here is that there is simply no way for anyone to know whether Red Bull’s 2026 engine is “clearly down on performance.” he said.

“What can be said is that the F1 grapevine suggests Mercedes have a small advantage over the other manufacturers on their internal combustion engine performance for 2026 so far.”

However, Benson also notes that this does not mean that Mercedes will be the strongest in terms of the battery. The new rules will see a 50/50 split between ICE and electrical power.

He added: “But even if that’s true, next year is not just about internal combustion engine performance. There is the electrical part of the engine, which provides about 50% of the total power output, and the new sustainable fuels, which will also have a significant effect.

Verstappen expressed doubts over the battery power for 2026, stating that no one knows where any team is for next season. While Mercedes may have the advantage with the ICE, there is a misleading narrative, as Verstappen has rightly called that the battery is still an unknown.

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

Red Bull must convince Max Verstappen their 2026 engine is competitive if they want to keep him

While the pecking order will not be determined until teams hit the track with their machines next season, the noises coming out of Red Bull are concerning for Verstappen’s prospects.

The team are in a rebuilding phase after the sacking of Christian Horner, with Verstappen already admitting defeat in the 2025 title race with the McLarens. Verstappen is feeling positive about working with Laurent Mekies in 2026, but they have serious work to do.

Verstappen has been ‘spooked’ by Mercedes’ 2026 engine; he is well aware of the threat they may pose to Red Bull. With the Milton Keynes outfit’s regression in performance, they have a mammoth task at hand to provide their star driver with a competitive car.

If they cannot, it is plausible that the Dutchman could look for a way out come 2027. Verstappen has more favourable exit clauses in 2026, which would, in theory, facilitate an easier departure.