Max Verstappen's father drops huge hint on F1 champion's Red Bull future ahead of 'Mercedes meeting'

Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, has spoken about the Formula 1 champion’s Red Bull future amid links with Mercedes.

Since Lewis Hamilton announced his decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, all eyes have been on who the Silver Arrows would bring in as the Brit’s replacement.

The likes of Carlos Sainz, Kimi Antonelli, Oscar Piastri and Fernando Alonso have all been linked with the soon-to-be vacant seat.

However, one surprising name that popped up was current F1 champion Verstappen, whose future with Red Bull is in doubt with chief designer Adrian Newey reportedly wanting to depart the team.

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, it has been reported that Verstappen’s management team are set to meet with Mercedes after the race weekend.

As reported by The Sun, Verstappen’s father, Jos, and his manager Raymond Vermeulen are going to hold talks with the three owners of the Brackley-based team, in the shapes of Toto Wolff, Mercedes Benz CEO Ola Kallenius and INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Speaking during the Rally de Wallonie, Jos spoke about his son’s future.

He said, via RacingNews365: “I think everyone wants him, only I think Max is right for the moment.

“He has a fast car, but we also have to look further to 2026, so we are letting everything come to us at the moment. We stay very calm and see what will happen.”

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Mercedes F1 team boss Wolff was asked about signing Verstappen during the Chinese Grand Prix, he said: “There are so many factors that play a role for a driver joining.

“Clearly when you look at it from the most rational point of view, you can say: ‘That’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver’. But I don’t think this is the only reason you stay where you are.”

Wolff continued: “I think, for simple minds, that might be the only reason why you stay in a car and that’s it but maybe there are more depths for some people that consider other factors too. I think that Max has that.

“In that respect, are we able to convince him? I don’t think it’s a matter of convincing. I think that Max knows motor racing better than anyone, he will take decisions that he feels are good for him.

“I think a few factors play a role, but he’s the one that is going to trigger some more domino stones to fall in afterward. Everybody is waiting for what he’s going to do.”