Verstappen has a contract until the end of 2028<\/a>, but speculation continues to mount that the Dutchman could leave Red Bull at the end of the season.<\/p>\n Mercedes chiefs have greenlit a move for Verstappen<\/a> should the 27-year-old decide he wants to part ways with Red Bull.<\/p>\n There have also been suggestions that Verstappen could end up at Aston Martin<\/a>, although this seems far less likely.<\/p>\n The reason for all of this speculation is the uncertainty surrounding Red Bull\u2019s credentials heading into the 2026 regulation changes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Red Bull will be building their new engine for the first time, and after the exit of Adrian Newey, his replacement, Pierre Wache, has failed to convince Verstappen\u2019s camp<\/a> he\u2019s the right man for the job.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen\u2019s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend<\/a><\/p>\n Nelson Valkenburg and Tim Hauraney were speaking on the Nailing The Apex Podcast about next year\u2019s engines.<\/p>\n Specifically, about the idea that \u2018tokens\u2019 might be needed to allow teams below a certain threshold to undertake additional work behind the scenes to catch up to the strongest power unit manufacturer.<\/p>\n Valkenburg pointed out that this idea didn\u2019t come from Toto Wolff\u2019s<\/a> team, as Mercedes are believed to have the best 2026 power unit<\/a> if whispers in the paddock are to be believed.<\/p>\n This led to Valkenburg explaining: \u201cWe believe that Ferrari and Red Bull were the ones really pushing that on.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it also kind of spooked Verstappen a little bit, because in my conversations behind the scenes, you hear, it\u2019s not only pure power, but how will the driveability be.<\/p>\n \u201cHow will the reliability be? Can they really compete with the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari, and there is just a fear of that.<\/p>\n \u201cOne thing is for certain: if the people around Max want him to have a longer F1 career than he could have, then they need to keep him happy, and I think this is a part of it, this potential move to Mercedes.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Ferrari and Red Bull both have 2026 Formula 1 power unit concerns<\/p>\n If Mercedes do develop the best power unit for 2026, then that leaves seven teams in an awkward position.<\/p>\n McLaren have proved this year that a customer team can easily beat their factory counterpart, and Williams and new partners Alpine will be hoping to beat Mercedes next year.<\/p>\n That leaves Red Bull and Racing Bulls pinning their hopes on their new in-house power unit, Ferrari<\/a>, Haas and newcomers Cadillac relying on the Scuderia, Aston Martin entrusting Honda with their new engine and Audi taking over Sauber to become F1\u2019s newest factory outfit.<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2209928311-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Kym Illman\/Getty ImagesMercedes\u2019 2026 engine advantage is now concerning Ferrari and Red Bull and \u2018spooked\u2019 Max Verstappen<\/p>\n