Mercedes now have ‘very realistic’ chance of signing 197-race F1 star for 2026

Follow us on Google Discover

Mercedes are the strongest team left on the Formula 1 grid who haven’t confirmed their driver line-up for 2025.

There’s a chance that Red Bull Racing might suddenly fall back into that category during the summer break if Sergio Perez doesn’t relieve the pressure on his performances, but right now the Mexican is technically signed up until the end of 2025.

This has given Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff a conundrum to solve with a trio of drivers on his radar.

Speaking on The Race Podcast, journalist Mark Hughes was analysing the team’s chances of hiring one of their preferred targets.

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

Who could Mercedes sign to become Lewis Hamilton’s long-term replacement?

The first option for Mercedes is Formula 2 star Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who given his position in the team’s academy would make him the most straightforward choice.

However, there are concerns about how well he’s dealt with the step up to F2 after previously racing in FRECA and Mercedes might have changed their mind on an immediate Antonelli promotion.

The next option is Carlos Sainz who is still a free agent for 2025 despite discovering nearly six months ago that Ferrari were going to replace him with outgoing Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

Wolff has admitted that Sainz is definitely still an option for next year and his patient approach to signing a contract is holding up the rest of the driver’s market.

Finally, there is Mercedes’s dream signing Max Verstappen, who looks on course to win his fourth title with Red Bull this year.

Hughes believes that there’s a very realistic chance that Verstappen – who has 197 Grand Prix under his belt – could join Mercedes in 2026 ahead of the new Formula 1 regulations.

It would be a huge coup for the Silver Arrows but present another problem for Wolff to solve if he needs to find a one-year stopgap to drive alongside George Russell.

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

Max Verstappen a ‘very realistic’ 2026 target for Mercedes

Talking about the driver situation at Mercedes and Max Verstappen’s future, Hughes said: “I think 2026 is very realistic [for Max Verstappen to join Mercedes]. 2025 is not impossible but my sense is that he won’t gamble on 2025.”

Valkenburg added: “What does it say at Mercedes about how they view George Russell?

“If they continuously keep going after Max like this, there‘s a signal to Russell that they don’t believe that you’re the guy to carry us forward in a direct fight with Max.

“It must be difficult for George.”

Toto Wolff has already made Max Verstappen an eye-watering offer

Throughout this season, Toto Wolff has made comments on his desire to sign Verstappen as Hamilton’s ideal replacement.

As Hughes explains, it’s hard to see Verstappen leaving at the end of this season, although Red Bull are no longer the clear leaders on the grid.

Adrian Newey departing Red Bull is a blow and the team’s driver line-ups are far from settled with pressure increasing on Verstappen at every race to carry the current Constructors’ champions.

Wolff is reportedly willing to give Verstappen a contract that would exceed even what Hamilton was offered by Mercedes.

Verstappen has held talks with Wolff this season, although they don’t appear to have progressed any potential transfer.

Red Bull team principal isn’t pleased with the constant courting of his star driver by Mercedes.

Horner jokingly told Wolff he could try and sign Max’s father Jos if he wants a Verstappen in the Mercedes next year, via Sky Sports.

That would solve two problems for the Red Bull boss who isn’t Verstappen Sr’s favourite person at the moment.