Max Verstappen Said to Regret Missing Mercedes Switch, Fueling Transfer Rumours

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner told the Red Flags podcast that four‑time champion Max Verstappen "surely regrets" not moving to Mercedes, saying the opportunity slipped away after negotiations involving George Russell. Steiner added that Verstappen could have left Red Bull before the new regulations arrived, but chose to stay.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, speaking on the Backstage Boxing podcast, noted that if Verstappen were to depart Red Bull, he would become a candidate for a seat at the Dutch team. Schumacher also discussed possible reshuffles at Mercedes, mentioning drivers such as Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri and the prospects for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.