Mercedes have now ‘set their sights’ on two Max Verstappen alternatives for 2026

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Mercedes officially called off their pursuit of Max Verstappen for 2025 when they announced the arrival of Kimi Antonelli at the Italian Grand Prix last time out. It had become increasingly clear over the past few months that he was in line to replace Lewis Hamilton.

But Toto Wolff’s team will still be at the centre of driver market conversations next year. Antonelli has only signed a one-year deal, while teammate George Russell is entering his last 12 months.

There are two reasons Wolff has only given Antonelli a short-term contract. First, he wants to mitigate the risk of signing an 18-year-old driver who’s still very raw – as evidenced by his crash in FP1 at Monza.

And second, he wants to keep a seat open if Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull ahead of the 2026 rule changes. There could be an effective shoot-out between Antonelli and Russell next season.

Verstappen’s Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2028. However, the three-time world champion is entitled to leave in just under 15 months’ time thanks to an exit clause in his deal.

Wolff confirmed talks with Verstappen this year and says he doesn’t want to ‘close the door’ on a future move. But he’s not the only driver on Mercedes’ radar.

Mercedes and Red Bull both eyeing McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

According to Spanish journalist Pedro Fermin Flores, Mercedes have also ‘set their sights’ on McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. They’re waiting to see if they want ‘a change of scenery’.

Norris and Piastri are second and fourth in this year’s championship, with the former trailing Verstappen by 62 points. They’re the heavy favourites to win the constructors’ after narrowing Red Bull’s lead to just eight.

However, the team have come under intense scrutiny since the Italian GP, when Piastri made an aggressive move on pole-sitter Norris on the first lap. Many were surprised that McLaren didn’t protect the British driver, who has a chance of reeling in Verstappen.

Red Bull are also interested in the duo. Helmut Marko says McLaren have the best driver line-up in F1.

When Lando Norris would reach ‘the beginning of the end’ at McLaren

If Mercedes lose out on Verstappen, then they could look to initiate talks with Norris and Piastri. Both are protected by long-term contracts but the exact details of those agreements are unknown.

Likewise, they’re the standout options for Red Bull if they lose Verstappen. Norris has established himself as one of the sport’s elite drivers with two wins, five poles and 23 podiums.

Will Buxton says Norris could leave McLaren if he loses out on this year’s title by single digits. Many would blame the team’s reluctance to establish a clear hierarchy.

It could also be the ‘beginning of the end’ if Piastri produces an ‘amazing’ run and leapfrogs him. The good news for Norris is that Andrea Stella has changed the ‘papaya rules’ for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix to prioritise his championship push.