Mercedes Reportedly Made Lowball Offer to Sign Max Verstappen from Red Bull

Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher claims Mercedes submitted a contract offer to Max Verstappen in a bid to lure him from Red Bull, but the four-time champion turned it down due to weak financial terms. According to Schumacher, the proposal may have been deliberately low, as Mercedes looks to protect rising star Kimi Antonelli rather than risk a costly and disruptive driver pairing.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's future has been the subject of intense speculation, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff previously making no secret of his admiration for the Dutchman. Yet Mercedes currently leads the 2026 championship with Antonelli firing on all cylinders, and the team is wary of destabilizing its lineup. Signing Verstappen to a massive contract could derail Antonelli's momentum and recreate the toxic internal rivalry the squad suffered during the Hamilton-Rosberg years.

The Details:

• Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Schumacher said Wolff made Verstappen an offer "behind the scenes," but the terms were apparently so weak financially that it was never a serious option.
• Schumacher believes the lowball offer was intentional, arguing Wolff has no desire to pit two expensive superstars against each other when Antonelli is already establishing himself as a generational talent.
• Antonelli has helped Mercedes win six of the opening seven races in 2026 and currently sits in title contention, making him the team's clear present and future.
• Schumacher also ruled out a Ferrari move for Verstappen, noting there is "no spot" at Maranello right now and leaving the champion with few obvious alternatives.
• Verstappen has repeatedly aired frustrations about F1's trajectory, questioning regulations, technology, and weekend formats, which adds another layer of uncertainty to his long-term plans.

What's next:

With Verstappen tied to Red Bull and Mercedes doubling down on Antonelli, a blockbuster switch seems unlikely for now. However, Verstappen's continued disillusionment with the sport's direction means his long-term future remains unresolved, and any further friction at Red Bull could force the driver market back open sooner than expected.