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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Arthur Ferridge

Max Verstappen: George Russell threatened as Mercedes 'in talks' to add Dutch champion for 2026 season

Max Verstappen George Russell Mercedes Red Bull Toto Wolff Lando Norris F1
Man in demand: Max Verstappen - (AP)

Mercedes are in talks to add four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen to their driver lineup for the 2026 season, team principle Toto Wolff has confirmed, but parties are far from reaching an agreement.

Verstappen, 27, made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2015 and was called up to Red Bull the following season, winning on debut with the team before going on to top the driver’s championship on four occasions. Ahead of Red Bull’s home race in Austria, though, reports have emerged that he could look for a new challenge next year.

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