McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has shared his concerns about Max Verstappen's potential move to the Mercedes F1 team, saying he would be a bigger threat than he is at Red Bull. George Russell recently admitted that his contract extension was on hold amid ongoing talks between Mercedes and Verstappen.

But while Red Bull team boss Christian Horner called that “noise” and Toto Wolff said he wanted to keep conversations “behind closed doors, not town halls”, a week later Sky Italia boldly claimed: ‘Mercedes, concrete negotiations with Max Verstappen. Dutchman ready to break free for next season.’

Max Verstappen to Mercedes? Inside the swirling paddock rumors threatening to upend George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, and F1’s power balance.