Verstappen should move to Mercedes: 'Red Bull will no longer win world titles'

Former F1 driver Robert Doornbos still believes that Max Verstappen is "maybe done with Red Bull," and he will make the switch to Mercedes.

Plenty of rumours have been surrounding the 27-year-old and his future at Red Bull Racing after some major struggles with the Austrian team in both 2024 and 2025, with Toto Wolff continuously stoking the fire about Verstappen's future.

According to Doorbos, the fairytale at Red Bull Racing is over for Verstappen, explaining why he thinks the four-time world champion will continue in Formula 1, but not with Red Bull Racing.

"He's not finished (with F1)," begins Doornbos about the rumours that Max Verstappen would quit Formula 1. In the new podcast, Pit the Talk.

''Maybe he's done with Red Bull and that story, that fairytale might come to an end. It has been a beautiful story with the first race he won and the four world championships. He also played an important role in the constructors' title. In fact, he almost won them by himself.''

George Russell in conversation with Max Verstappen, with the two of them already having a flashpoint in their rivalry in 2025 after the Spanish Grand Prix

Red Bull to continue faltering

''If he were to leave, it would be disastrous for Red Bull. They are big shoes to fill, but I see him moving to a team that has the tools to let him win more world championships," continued the 43-year-old

"We don't see Red Bull winning another four or five world championships in the next eight years. No, another team will do that.''

Asked if Doornbos is referring to Mercedes, the Dutchman says: ''What Mercedes is doing with their engine program is next level. Mercedes can, besides the budget cap, invest an additional two to three hundred million in the development to improve their engines for their cars on the road.

"Ferrari can do the same, but if you look at the facts, Mercedes has consistently been on top of new regulations.''

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Doornbos harks back to the 2014 season when Mercedes began the hybrid era as the best engine manufacturer by some way, with competitors so far behind at the beginning that Mercedes even tuned down their engines not to attract too much scrutiny.

For 2026, the paddock expects Mercedes to have an advantage over the competition, although the real ratios will only become visible in 2026, which ensures an interesting dynamic between Verstappen and George Russell in 2025. With Russell's contract expiring, he could indeed be the one at a disadvantage.

"George would probably have to make way if Max comes. George doesn’t have a contract for next year. He is doing his best and making Toto's life quite difficult, as this man is now winning a race. How long can you keep him on the hook?"

However, Max Verstappen will not be making the move to Mercedes in 2026. GPblog had already reported earlier that Verstappen has made up his mind and will definitely stay with Red Bull Racing in 2026.

This article was written in collaboration with Tim Kraaij