McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has shared his concerns about Max Verstappen's potential move to the Mercedes F1 team, saying he would be a bigger threat than he is at Red Bull. George Russell recently admitted that his contract extension was on hold amid ongoing talks between Mercedes and Verstappen.

Rumors of Verstappen jumping ship first erupted last year after Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari was confirmed. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made it clear he’d love to sign the Dutchman to lead the Silver Arrows into F1’s new era starting in 2026, when new chassis and engine regulation changes will shake up the grid.

Red Bull are currently fourth in the Constructors’ Championship with 162 points, of which Verstappen has scored 155. Yuki Tsunoda, named to the team ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix as a replacement for Liam Lawson, has scored the other seven.