**ESPN Said It’s a Done Deal – Breaking News: Max Verstappen’s Blockbuster Signing with Mercedes Confirmed**
In a seismic shift that is set to reshape the Formula 1 landscape, ESPN has confirmed that Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull Racing and join Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team starting with the 2026 season. The blockbuster signing, long speculated in the paddock, is now official, with both camps releasing statements within hours of ESPN’s exclusive report.
Verstappen, the three-time World Champion and arguably the most dominant driver of the hybrid era, has been with Red Bull since 2016. His move to Mercedes comes after increasing tensions within Red Bull’s management structure, particularly in the wake of the off-track controversies surrounding team principal Christian Horner and internal disagreements over the team’s direction.
According to ESPN’s senior F1 correspondent Nate Saunders, negotiations between Verstappen’s representatives and Mercedes intensified after Lewis Hamilton announced his shock switch to Ferrari earlier this year. Verstappen’s release clause in his Red Bull contract, reportedly tied to the presence of Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, allowed him to exit early once key figures started stepping away or saw diminished influence.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the signing as “a defining moment for the future of our team,” signaling a new era as the Silver Arrows prepare for the 2026 regulation changes. “Max is a once-in-a-generation talent. His hunger to win matches our DNA. We are building something special, and he is a vital part of that vision.”
Verstappen, for his part, kept his statement short but impactful: “I’m grateful for everything I achieved with Red Bull, but I believe the time is right for a new challenge. Mercedes presents an exciting opportunity to continue pushing the limits and fighting at the front.”
The deal, rumored to be the most lucrative in F1 history, is said to span at least four years, taking Verstappen through the next major technical cycle. While financial terms were not disclosed officially, sources estimate the contract to be worth upwards of \$75 million annually, including performance bonuses and commercial incentives.
The reaction across the F1 world has been immediate and dramatic. Fans are split between shock and excitement, while rival teams are scrambling to evaluate the ripple effects. Red Bull now faces a massive void to fill, with speculation swirling about who will partner Sergio Pérez—or if Pérez himself will remain.
The 2025 season, though already underway, now has added intrigue as Verstappen races knowing his long-term future lies with Red Bull’s fiercest rival. Expect tensions to rise, both on and off track, as the battle lines for the future of Formula 1 are drawn.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as ESPN brings exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes insights into one of the biggest driver mo
ves in F1 history.
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