Toto Wolff may now offer Max Verstappen the chance to take part in dream race outside F1 if he joins Mercedes

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Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull remains uncertain amid early signs that the Milton Keynes-based team’s 2026 F1 engine is showing sub-optimal performance.

Mercedes could be the most attractive destination for Max Verstappen to land at, which would complete one of the biggest turnarounds in F1 considering their intense rivalry stemming from the heated 2021 title fight.

The pair were speculated to be holding talks over the break before the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix. This has since been debunked, with it being reported that Wolff and Verstappen did not meet in Sardinia as ‘the conditions are not yet right’ to negotiate.

His experience and accolades make the four-time world champion a hot commodity for the majority of the grid, with Aston Martin willing to pay Max Verstappen ‘whatever he wants’ to join them at the Silverstone-based factory.

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

Mercedes can offer Max Verstappen things outside of F1 that Red Bull can’t

The Dutchman’s love for racing outside of open-wheel categories has been in the spotlight for some time now, with Verstappen stating that sim-racing with GT3 cars keeps him ‘sharp’.

Speaking on the Nailing the Apex podcast, Nelson Valkenburg noted something that gives Toto Wolff an ace up his sleeve in negotiations with the 27-year-old.

“I firmly believe that there is a conversation very close to being finalised for Mercedes to join the hypercar class at Le Mans with a Dallara-based LMDH,” the Dutch commentator started.

“So he could also race in GTP and IMSA. That ticks all the boxes Max needs to see. As long as he can only focus on the things he likes, I think that works.”

In an interview earlier in the season, Verstappen expressed that he ‘wants to do Le Mans’, stating that his current contract keeping him in F1 expires in 2028, allowing him to explore a drive in Le Mans afterwards.

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

Max Verstappen is ‘the one that got away’ for Toto Wolff and Mercedes in F1

Mercedes have attempted to sign Verstappen multiple times in the past, including an instance before the 2021 season that ‘few know’ about. However, the German constructor held fire as his contract situation at Red Bull was causing a concern for them.

However, Valkenburg believes Wolff now ‘holds the cards a little bit more’ than he did in past negotiations with the 27-year-old, saying, “He’s not come begging. It feels like it’s because that engine next year for everybody feels so dominant.

“So that changes the equation a little bit. But if this is going to work, it is because they will do it on the basis that it’s about racing and nothing else. Max seems like the one that got away for Toto Wolff.”

Verstappen is expected to make his decision in the coming weeks, with Red Bull determined to keep hold of his talents. The departure of the Dutch driver could be the nail in the coffin for the Austrian constructor, who have seen a cluster of key personnel leave in the last 18 months.