While there is no doubt that Mercedes and Max Verstappen’s representatives have held talks in recent weeks about a potential future Formula 1 tie-up, what is less clear is the end game at play from both sides.
The cynics would suggest Mercedes can drive down George Russell’s pay demands if he knows someone else is sniffing around his seat, while the Verstappen camp can push up what Red Bull will put on the table to keep its number one on board if it gets to the point where they need to renegotiate a contract for fear of losing him.
There probably is no ultimate truth to what is playing out either, as the motivations from both camps are likely coming from different directions and they don’t want them to be revealed.

However, based on what we have learned speaking to sources with good knowledge of the situation, there are some interesting elements that give us a clue about where things may go both over the next few weeks and the longer term.
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What seems safe to say is that Verstappen and his management are weighing up his F1 future.
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The smartest move right now for any driver is to have freedom at the end of next year – so they can jump ship if their current team is not up to scratch (in the new regulations) and get themselves into a more competitive car for 2027.

That appears to be the game that Verstappen is playing, with sources suggesting that any move to another F1 team is unlikely to happen until 2027 at the earliest – so any discussions taking place are more about that.

But equally, that does not mean that he and Red Bull can sit back and think it’s guaranteed that Verstappen will stay on for next year.
One more leftfield idea that emerged in the Austria paddock was that the main decision Verstappen is likely making for 2026 is … it’s time for a break - especially having just become a father.