Mercedes-AMG chief makes surprise comment when asked about signing Max Verstappen amid Red Bull exit rumours

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The upcoming Belgian Grand Prix is arguably one of the most important race weekends in Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 careers.

For Red Bull, it’s the first time they’re tackling an event without Christian Horner in charge.

Horner has been replaced by Laurent Mekies, and the new team principal is going to have plenty of questions to answer.

The most likely question, and potentially the most important, is almost certainly going to centre around the future of Max Verstappen.

Verstappen looks set to miss out on the drivers’ championship this year unless he pulls off the greatest comeback in Formula 1 history.

His 69-point deficit to Oscar Piastri is almost insurmountable, and there are concerns that Red Bull are no longer capable of building title-winning cars.

This has led to Verstappen being linked with Mercedes, who many are tipping to be a dominant force when the F1 regulations change next season.

Verstappen has remained tight-lipped about his future, despite having a contract with Red Bull that runs until the end of the 2028 season.

George Russell has commented more on the Dutchman’s potential move than anybody else, and while he doesn’t think he’s at risk of being replaced, Mercedes would need to move him or Andrea Kimi Antonelli on to make space for Verstappen.

Mercedes-AMG motorsport director Christoph Sagemuller has now been asked about the Brackley-based F1 team’s driver options and gave an interesting answer on the four-time world champion.

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

Mercedes-AMG chief refuses to rule out move for Max Verstappen

Sagemuller was asked about his involvement in the Mercedes Formula 1 project in an interview with Autosport Web and explained: “Our F1 team is run and managed by a company based in Brackley, with Toto (Wolff) as CEO.

“I have the role of linking the main body of Mercedes AMG with Brackley.

“I have the role of connecting with the F1 team and carrying out our activities, such as corporate governance and collaboration in marketing activities.”

He was then asked about the ‘hot topic’ of Verstappen’s links to Mercedes and said: “He’s a good driver.

“And Mercedes AMG is always looking for good drivers, and now we at Mercedes AMG have a great driver.

“Well, let’s see what happens,” Sagemuller said, laughing, although it’s telling he didn’t dismiss the rumours outright.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Max Verstappen ‘spooked’ by 2026 power unit concerns at Red Bull and Ferrari

One of the overwhelming reasons why Mercedes might be so attractive to Verstappen is their power unit.

Many expect the upcoming ruleset to be dominated by the team with the best engine, and whispers in the paddock suggest Mercedes are the leading force in that regard.

However, until teams begin testing in January, much of this speculation is unfounded.

It’s been suggested that Verstappen has been ‘spooked’ by Red Bull’s stance on Mercedes’ power unit.

Both Red Bull and Ferrari are said to support a token system that allows teams who are a certain percentage behind the leading engine manufacturer to earn more time working on their power units.

If Red Bull are in that much trouble, then Verstappen will have to start working on an exit strategy, and it appears as though senior staff within Mercedes are very happy for that speculation to continue.