Despite the 2025 Formula 1 season seeing two teams retain identical line-ups, Max Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes could cause an even greater shift.
Ever since the news was that talks between Verstappen and Mercedes were ongoing, the rumour mill has begun to go into overdrive as silly season looms large.
With the summer break coming, a lot of driver market activity for the upcoming 2026 will take place, including the truth surrounding the Dutchman’s whereabouts.
The recent sacking of Christian Horner after his 20-year spell at the helm of Red Bull has been seen as a possible final dice roll in retaining the reigning champion.
However, the Dutchman’s decision will more than likely be down to whether Red Bull can provide him with the car to rival the package Mercedes will have in 2026.
Verstappen ending his tenure with Red Bull would only cause the Milton Keynes-based team to adjust its own priorities, but also Mercedes regarding his team-mate.
With two strong drivers in five-time winner George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the books, adding Verstappen would give the German marque a headache.
A Verstappen-Russell duo would mean the Silver Arrows have to find Antonelli a temporary new home for 2026, with Alpine being touted as favourites in that regard, aligning with the Anglo-French setup’s new power unit deal with Mercedes for the upcoming season.
But should Mercedes head in the opposite direction and adopt a Verstappen-Antonelli partnership, Russell’s destination would be sure to dominate the driver market.
From being the future to becoming the past
If Mercedes decides that the Verstappen-Russell partnership would be too much to manage, then it would see the shock departure of the driver once seen as the team’s future.
The potential of a straight swap between Verstappen and Russell could be an option, although the Austrian drinks giant is reported to have multiple contingencies in place.
It is reported that Russell is among a shortlist of drivers that include Alex Albon, Carlos, Sainz and Pierre Gasly to partner Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar at Red Bull.
But Russell has also been linked with Aston Martin, where the opportunity to work with design guru Adrian Newey under new rules could deliver a better crack at a title.
Despite Aston Martin boss Andy Cowell insisting the team is committed to Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, the chance to obtain Russell’s services would test that resolve.
With the potential returns to Red Bull for Albon, Gasly and Sainz also being earmarked, the departure of Verstappen could open up holes in both Williams and Alpine.
The Alpine squad will already be considering its options for 2026, and that’s without the potential departure of experienced Frenchman Gasly as the team’s figurehead.
The Enstone-based squad’s decision to switch Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto hasn’t paid dividends yet, with Valtteri Bottas being touted as a potential replacement.
New team, new opportunities
The introduction of F1’s 11th team in Cadillac for 2026 adds another two seats to fill and an opportunity for drivers both old and new.
The American outfit has been heavily linked with the experienced pair of Bottas and Sergio Perez, but also with Mick Schumacher and Zhou Guanyu.
However, if there is already movement in the driver market, potential other moves could come out of the blue for the newest addition to the grid.
With the door seemingly closing on his time at Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda could be on Cadillac’s radar, something the Japanese driver could do with after a confidence-draining stint at the senior team following his promotion from Racing Bulls.
A new name linked with Cadillac has been Doohan, the 21-year-old Australian having been harshly axed from the Alpine setup after just six weekends in 2025.
Doohan is not the only Aussie linked with F1’s newest team, though Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon quickly shot down rumours surrounding a Daniel Ricciardo return.
With an entirely new team on the grid and a potential huge move in the pipeline, it’s set up that as F1 enters a new era in 2026, it will be a busy year in the driver market again.
READ MORE – Why McLaren hopes Mercedes don’t sign ‘awesome’ Max Verstappen
