Max Verstappen won’t leave Red Bull for Mercedes next year but 2026 repr⭕esents a fresh opportunity, it has been predicted.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has placed Verstappeꦆn at the top of his wish-list to replace Lewis Hamilton, who will go to Ferrari next year.

The furore at Red Bull behind-the-scenes - wꦓhich now looks set to include Adrian Newey’s exit - has given Mercedes hope of poaching Versꦐtappen.

“I wouldn♚’t leave a car that’s winning,” F1 tech expert Albert Fabrega told the F1 Nation podcast when asked about Verstappen.

“It’s a chess game that is playing on the table, 🔥with a lot of factors 𓆏and a lot of drivers involved.

“But if I was Max Vers𒆙tappen? I wouldn’t leave the seat of a car that, I gue🐭ss, in 2025 is going to be the winning car.

“If you asked me the same question about 2026?

“Then I’m not sure. I will not put any money…

“But for me… 2025, Max will stay.

“He kn🎐ows how difficult itꦗ is to win a championship. He’s in a winning team with a winning car and with winning momentum.

“Why would you change that?

“Moving to a team that, today, is fig𝓀hting for fifth or six🌱th position?”

Tom Clarkson, the FIA press conference host,🦩 replied: “I think he knows that.

“There’s nothing in his body language, or anything that comꦰes out of his mouth, that makes me think he’s about to leave Red Bull🌃.

“And even he was saying ‘I am happier in this car than I was last ye𝓡ar’.”

But in 2026 the new F1 regulationꦜs will come into e෴ffect.

And, the futඣure of Newey could have a serious impact🌠.

Chief technical officer Newey is expected to leave Red Bull and could end up at a rival tℱeam, with Mౠercedes among those who would surely be keen.

Newey’s brains are behind the cars﷽ that Verstappen has driven to his three championships so 🐲far, and the RB20 which is set to give him a fourth.

Wolff, spওeaking before the news of Newey’s exit, spoke about “other factors” that could dete🙈rmine Verstappen’s future beyond the brilliance of his 2024 car.