Formula 1 fans are adamant they have spotted a hidden message related to Max Verstappen in Mercedes' announcement ahead of the British Grand Prix.
After last weekend's dramatic Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, the 2025 F1 season will now continue at the world-famous Silverstone circuit.
Over the last few weeks, the future of reigning world champion Verstappen has been the talk of the paddock.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff revealed ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix that he has held talks with Verstappen over a 2026 move.
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The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Red Bull due to the team's current struggles as they sit behind the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren in the constructors' standings.
Over the last few months, Mercedes and Aston Martin have both been linked with making a move for Verstappen ahead of 2026.
On Tuesday night, Sky Italia claimed that there have been 'concrete negotiations' between Verstappen and Mercedes, with the Dutchman 'ready to free himself for next season'.
Ahead of the Silverstone weekend, Mercedes made an announcement on Thursday relating to the team's livery and driver race suits.
Mercedes have revealed that they will have the colour orange on their British Grand Prix livery.
Explaining on their website, the Brackley-based team said: "Silver, black, and… orange. Our W16s for the 2025 British Grand Prix will look a little bit different. So why are we adding a splash of orange to our Silverstone style this year?
"A concept car that offers insight into the first series-production model based on AMG.EA high performance will be on display at Silverstone. The concept car’s eye-catching sunset beam orange livery is inspired by the revolutionary Mercedes C111 vehicles of the 1960s and 1970s.
"The sunset beam orange accents will feature on the W16 including the famous three-pointed stars on its nose and engine cover, driver overalls, and both George and Kimi will run special helmets incorporating the colour in celebration of the CONCEPT AMG GT XX launch."
After posting a series of pictures of the new livery on social media, fans were quick to react.
Fans have linked Mercedes' orange accents to the Verstappen rumours, due to it being known as the national colour of the Netherlands.
One fan said: "Toto Wolff is doing everything to sign Max Verstappen. An orange Mercedes car with “welcome” sign. Kimi with a special orange helmet. Orange signs on the F1 car."
Another tweeted: "Couldn’t be better timing for Mercedes to display orange stars on their car this weekend, given all the rumours surrounding Max Verstappen going on."
A third fan added: "Orange? Is Mercedes already teasing Max Verstappen to the general public?"
Someone else wrote: "Orange for Verstappen."
A fifth commented: "Fishing for Max?"
Speaking on Thursday, Verstappen addressed his own future.
He said: "I do not have to add much to that. 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."
Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Fan Reactions, Mercedes, Red Bull Racing
Marcus Chan