Mercedes have been heavily linked with a move for Max Verstappen, who could find a way out of his Red Bull contract, with Toto Wolff's superior green lighting the move

Max Verstappen will be left “wowed” by the “little gold nugget” of having the car to beat at Mercedes in the F1 2026 season. That is the claim of Johnny Herbert, who believes Mercedes’ plans for F1’s new regulations will convince Verstappen to leave Red Bull.

That's because Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko seemingly revealed that there are certain exit clauses in Verstappen's contract, citing his future as of 'great concern', while Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed that talks have been happening with Verstappen's team.