The big rumour in F1 for months has been whether Mercedes will sign Max Verstappen<\/a> next year.<\/p>\n The lack of performance from Red Bull, and the suggestion that Mercedes will embark on the F1 2026 regulations<\/a> era with the best engine, were behind the whispers.<\/p>\n Mercedes <\/a>boss Wolff and Red Bull star Verstappen failed to categorically deny it until last weekend\u2019s F1 Hungarian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n Schumacher thinks he knows why it took so long.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s quite good for both sides,\u201d the ex-F1 driver said to Sky Germany.<\/p>\n \u201cToto Wolff can keep the pressure on the driver’s side up and thus also save money.<\/p>\n \u201cMax Verstappen can also keep the pressure up and maybe negotiate an add-on for any technical changes or whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n George Russell involved in Max Verstappen-Mercedes talk Max Verstappen<\/p>\n Schumacher was referring to Wolff\u2019s negotiations with George Russell<\/a>, who is out of contract at the end of this season.<\/p>\n Russell\u2019s lack of clarity for 2026 was also behind the rumour mill linking Verstappen to Mercedes.<\/p>\n But Russell headed off on holiday after the Hungarian Grand Prix claiming a new Mercedes contract was a matter of \u2018when\u2019 not \u2018if\u2019.<\/p>\n Reports from the Daily Mail suggest he could pocket \u00a330m per season from a new contract.<\/p>\n But he has been made to wait, with the Verstappen saga taking centre stage.<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/xpb_1365814_hires.jpg\")
<\/p>\n