Red Bull will not prevent Verstappen from leaving.

      Red Bull will not obstruct Max Verstappen if he chooses to move to Mercedes. This assertion comes from two specialized Formula 1 sources: the German f1-insider.com and Italy’s prominent sports newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport.

      These developments follow intense speculation regarding a potential meeting between the four-time world champion and Toto Wolff on their yachts in Sardinia, situated between the British and Belgian Grands Prix. Ralf Schumacher remarked, "You don’t need a random vacation spot to hold final talks about a contract."

      Nelson Piquet Jr. - the brother of Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly - has also acknowledged that negotiations appear to be in progress. "They are negotiating," he stated to Pelas Pistas, adding, "The final details of the contract are still being worked out, but everyone knows that it is an option."

      Piquet noted that while Verstappen would prefer to remain at Red Bull, the shocking sacking of Christian Horner highlights evident dysfunction within the team. The Brazilian observed, "I heard that they are having trouble attracting and retaining key personnel. Some of them didn’t like the atmosphere there. Certain minor issues with Max’s father emerged, which troubled people. According to some, it would be more challenging to bring back essential staff as long as Horner was involved with the team.

      "That’s what people have been saying," Piquet added. He is among the latest insiders to suggest that Horner’s increasing demand for control has become a significant issue. "There was a suggestion to distribute responsibilities more evenly, but Horner didn’t want that," said Piquet. "He wanted authority over everything - both teams, the engines. If he’d secured total control, it would have greatly benefitted him. If he didn’t, he would still receive almost $100 million as a severance package."

      Reports indicate that Red Bull is still in discussions regarding Horner’s exit agreement. Additionally, recent reports imply that Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius has permitted Wolff to pursue the signing of 27-year-old Verstappen. La Gazzetta dello Sport asserts that negotiations will conclude by the end of August, with an announcement expected immediately after the summer break.

      It remains uncertain whether George Russell or Kimi Antonelli would leave Mercedes if Verstappen were to join, but it is believed that Wolff is open to loaning Antonelli to Mercedes-powered Alpine for 2026.

      Ralf Schumacher added, "I think Silverstone demonstrated to Max that Red Bull won’t be able to turn things around, despite all their efforts. Ultimately, it’s about his career, not loyalty. If Mercedes demonstrates they’re doing everything possible to secure him, he will switch."

      He also noted that it is not advantageous for Mercedes to be outperformed by McLaren, who share the same engine. "With Max, they could restore the power balance in 2026." One of Red Bull’s last chances of keeping Verstappen might lie in a final mid-season car development effort, with new components expected in both Belgium and Hungary.

      "We still have half the season plus four sprint races left," stated Dr. Helmut Marko. "There are many points still available, and the improvements in Belgium should bring us closer to McLaren. We don’t believe the championship battle is over," concluded the Red Bull advisor.