Formula One star Max Verstappen has spoken out to address rumours that he has held talks with Toto Wolff regarding a potential move to Mercedes.
On Sunday afternoon, the F1 grid will lineup for one of the most eagerly-anticipated races of the 2025, the British Grand Prix.
Ahead of the race, much of the discussion has centred around reigning champion Verstappen, who has recently been linked with a shock move away from Red Bull to join former rivals Mercedes.
Several reports have claimed that the Dutchman, who is believed to have 'performance-related clauses' allowing him to exit his current Red Bull, has held meetings with Mercedes team principal Wolff.
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And now, Verstappen himself has spoken out to address the reports regarding his future and the links with Mercedes.
Despite spending his entire F1 career with Red Bull, reports from Sky Sports have claimed that Verstappen is open to a move to Mercedes ahead of the major regulation changes next season.
When asked to comment on the news ahead of the Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend, the 27-year-old remained coy, but ensured that the media knew who would have the final say regarding his future.
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“I do not have to add much to that,” Verstappen told Viaplay, when asked about comments from Wolff indicating an interest in signing him ahead of the 2026 season.
“The more I say about it, the more it will be reported in the media. And I certainly do not want that. I determine my own future," Verstappen added.
As it stands, Verstappen is under contract at Red Bull until the end of 2028, but if rumours of the performance-related clauses are true, it is likely that he can leave the team much earlier than this should he want to.
What have Mercedes said about the Verstappen links?
Ahead of last week's Austrian Grand Prix, which saw Verstappen retire early following a lap one collision with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, Wolff was asked to comment on the links with Verstappen.
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“As a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world it is clear you’re exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future.
"What we are trying to do in the team is be transparent,. You can choose to hold things under wraps, or do what we’ve done in the last 20 years I’ve been here is putting it out there and saying this is the situation.
"These drivers are clever people and they talk to each other.
“I’m saying it how it is and there’s no such thing as saying we are going to sign Max, because it’s so far away that it’s not realistic at that stage. So with George, we talk about everything.”
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Although it is still unclear who Verstappen would replace at Mercedes, it is expected that it will likely be former rival George Russell, who is yet to have his contract renewed for 2026.
However, the Brit has made it clear that he is willing to fight for his spot during the remained of the ongoing season.
"It's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing," Russell told Sky Sports last week.
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"But from my side, if I'm performing as I'm doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula 1 team."
Topics: Max Verstappen, Mercedes, Formula 1, George Russell, Red Bull Racing
Ben McCrum