The Formula -1 World hums with speculation about a possible move from Max Verstappen to Mercedes in 2026, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian sensation of the team, reacted to these rumors for the first time. After a message fromSky ItaliaVerstappen, the four -Time world champion, would have agreed with the Silver arrows next to their ranks from 2026. This development has led to intensive discussions about who would be the ideal teammate for the Dutchman with Antonelli and George Russell and the competitor for second place. Both drivers have a contract at the end of 2025, and the choice between them is anything but easy.
Antonelli, only eighteen years old, is considered one of the greatest talents in motorsport. His impressive success record in the junior formulas with titles in the Italian and German Formula 4 in 2022 and the regional European formula in 2023 makes him a promising candidate for the future of Mercedes. His debut season in Formula 1 in 2025 began promising with a sprint stick in Miami and a stage in Canada, although a crash with Verstappen in Austria underlined its rookie errors. Nevertheless, the chef Toto Wolff of the Mercedes team continues to confidence in the young Italian, which he has been eleven years old since the junior program. On the other hand, George Russell, a firm value at Mercedes, has developed into a reliable guide since 2022. With five wins, including a triumph that is recently triumphant in Canada and nineteen podiums, Russell shows his value as a world -class driver, which makes him a logical choice to drive next to Verstappen.
The rumors about Verstappen’s Switch were driven by a disappointing season for Red Bull, especially after the Grand Prix of Austria, in which Antonelli Verstappen typed in the opening round of the route, which led to a DNF for the Dutchman. This incident in combination with McLaren’s technical superiority and rapid growing residues of 61 points at the World Cup leader Oscar Piatri has strengthened speculation about switching to Mercedes.SporzaReported that Mercedes has “exploration talks” with Verstappen, which is still under contract with Red Bull by 2028, but may be able to use a boarding clause. The head of the Red Bull team, Christian Horner, trivialized the rumors and explained oppositeMotorsport.comThe “The rest is noise and it doesn’t come from us.” Nevertheless, Toto Wolff remains open to Verstappen, whom he has had on his radar since 2014.
Antonelli spoke in an interview with the situationCrash.netWhile preparations for the Grand Prix of Great Britain on July 6, 2025, there is clearly a lot going on, “he said.” I am sure that the team will do its best to offer the best for the future, as it will not only look next year but also at the front. My goal is to do my best anyway. “The Italian emphasized his loyalty to Mercedes and refused discussions with other teams:” No, no, no. I got this chance from Mercedes. There are no conversations with others. I am very satisfied with where I am and I am also sure what the team wants. “Antonelli’s focus is on the minimization of mistakes such as the crash in Austria and maximizing its performance.” I know that the team has confidence in me, so I’m not really worried, “he added.
The speculation about the 2026 drivers also led to warnings by Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko. In an interview withWould loveHe explained that the link between Antonelli with Verstappen for the young Italian’s career due to the dapping of dominant presence that overshadowed former teammates would be risky.Motorsport-total.comsuggested that Russell would be preferred as an “rounded product Antonelli, while others argue for itSky SportThat he is faithful to Mercedes and does not fear his position.
While Mercedes is thinking about his strategy for 2026, with new regulations that promise a possible resurrection of the team, the future of Verstappen remains uncertain. The rumor mill runs at full speed, but Antonelli’s calm reaction and focuses on his own performance decision to earn his place, regardless of who becomes his teammate. The Formula -1 World will continue to wait for tensions for how this story unfolds.
