Max Verstappen has shut down speculation linking him with a sensational move to Mercedes, insisting that much of the talk about his Formula 1 future is simply people trying to “create drama.” For weeks,

Red Bull Racing senior advisor Helmut Marko has accused Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff of fueling rumors about Max Verstappen 's switch to Mercedes, especially about the exit clause in the Dutch driver's contract.

Mercedes had hoped to lure Max Verstappen away from Red Bull but now looks set to extend the contracts of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for the 2026 season and beyond