Verstappen Warned Off Red Bull Exit as Hamilton Reveals Regret Over Past Mercedes Loyalty
Formula 1’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen has been urged to think twice about leaving Red Bull Racing, with a pointed warning coming from none other than Lewis Hamilton the sport’s most decorated driver and a former Mercedes mainstay.
The Dutch star, who is chasing his fifth world title, has recently found himself at the centre of mounting speculation linking him to Mercedes, amid reports that an exit clause in his Red Bull contract may have been triggered. With tensions reportedly rising behind the scenes at Red Bull and performance inconsistencies creeping in throughout the 2025 season, the 26-year-old is believed to be weighing his long-term future.
During Thursday’s press conference at Silverstone ahead of the British Grand Prix, Hamilton was asked directly whether he would endorse a move to Mercedes for Verstappen — a question that seemed to strike a chord with the seven-time world champion.
“Of course, I mean he’s coming from a great team,” Hamilton told reporters, including GPFans. “Many, many years ago, I was so die-hard Mercedes at the time, and I remember saying something about Red Bull being ‘only a drinks company’ — and I’ve always regretted it.”
The 40-year-old continued, “You learn as you go through your career that this sport isn’t just about the name on the car. It’s about timing, people, the chemistry in the garage. I spent an incredible part of my life at Mercedes, but even the best partnerships eventually reach their peak.”
Hamilton’s comments come as he attempts to settle into life at Ferrari — a move many expected to be the fairytale final chapter of his illustrious career. But the transition has been far from seamless. Hamilton has struggled to match the performance of teammate Charles Leclerc and has yet to claim a podium finish this season, as Ferrari faces a mixed campaign despite its promising winter development.
“This season’s been tough, no doubt,” Hamilton admitted. “When you make a move like that, you carry your expectations with you. But F1 always has a way of surprising you. You just have to keep your head down and keep pushing.”
Meanwhile, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff remains coy on the Verstappen rumours, though insiders claim discussions have quietly taken place in recent weeks. The Silver Arrows are reportedly preparing for a major driver shake-up in the wake of George Russell’s inconsistent form and the departure of Hamilton, with Verstappen seen as the ideal candidate to lead the team’s next era.
For Verstappen, the decision looms large. Red Bull, despite recent internal turbulence and the RB21’s unpredictable form, remains the team that helped him rise to dominance. Yet the lure of Mercedes — a team with championship pedigree and ambitious future plans may prove too tempting to ignore.
