Max Verstappen’s only other option should he look to leave Red Bull for the 2026 season would be to join Mercedes, according to former F1 driver Johnny Herbert.
Red Bull won the lottery when they signed Verstappen up to the longest-ever F1 deal back in 2022, running to the end of the 2028 season.
The deal came just months after he won his first world title in dramatic fashion with things looking up for Red Bull.
The Milton Keynes-based team then embarked on a dominant spell that saw Verstappen break multiple records on his way to becoming a three-time world champion.
But the wheels began to fall off Red Bull’s momentum earlier this year and key personnel are now set to leave the team from next year.
Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley and Will Courtenay are among the top figures at Red Bull moving elsewhere.
The mass exodus has also caused concern for Verstappen’s father, who has been vocal against Christian Horner.
Jos Verstappen’s little hints have led to growing speculation over his son’s future with Red Bull, with reports indicating he has an exit clause in his current contract.
With nothing available for next year, Verstappen’s earliest exit won’t be until the 2026 season where new regulations will be introduced.
And Herbert, who won three F1 races in 165 entries, feels Mercedes is the only possible option for Verstappen.
The 60-year-old also stuck the knife into Red Bull over the exodus of staff in what has proven to be a difficult year off the grid for the reigning champions.
“It can only be Merc for 26,” he told GB News.
“It’s the only real logical one, I don’t think there is anyone else.
“Ferrari is done. Red Bull, why would you want to stay there at the present time? Mercedes is the only one that could potentially free up for 2026.
“Jos already mentioned that when all the shenanigans were going on with Christian that they’d be looking towards 2026 and that’s the car.
“McLaren? Nope, not going to happen. Mercedes, I understand at the present time with the changes coming into 2026, look ahead of the game.
“I’m sure he’ll hear that and it will be something he’ll be aware of and they’ll be working at it.”
Herbert also feels it creates an interesting dynamic for Mercedes next year with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli going head-to-head to keep their seat.
He added: “The changes they’ve had with Kimi coming in, but of course with George too, is this a little battle of who can survive for 2026?”
“Because would you go, ‘Max? Not sure.’ You wouldn’t. You’d be going, ‘if I can have him, I’ll damn well get him’.
“He’ll be very much trying to work out what’s going to be the most positive thing for Max of course.
“We want to see him in a car that can challenge Lando or whoever it might be because at the moment you don’t see a long-term benefit of staying at Red Bull at the present time.”
