F1 Betting Odds: Verstappen Tipped for Shock Mercedes Move
As the dust settles on a somewhat lacklustre Austrian Grand Prix, all eyes now switch to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Four British drivers will take to the track looking to impress the home crowd.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes’ George Russell and Haas’ Oliver Bearman will all want to perform well at the home of British motorsport.
However, much of the talk within the paddock has been about the future of four-time World Champion Max Verstappen.
With Mercedes driver George Russell yet to sign a new deal with the German manufacturer, and boss Toto Wolff showing public interest in Verstappen, speculation has intensified linking the current World Champion to their racing team.
Some rumours even state that Mercedes are holding off on signing a new contract with Russell, just in case Verstappen decides he wants to leave Red Bull.
Could these talks open the door for Verstappen to replace Russell, or is rookie Antonelli not the superstar we all thought?
Ahead of the British Grand Prix, Gambling.com has created a market on where Max Verstappen could go in 2026.
Mercedes ‘Interested’ In Verstappen
With major regulation changes being introduced in 2026, Mercedes’ notorious power unit capabilities could leapfrog Red Bull Racing and provide Max with a more competitive car.
Verstappen will probably be looking at the current available teams and would understandably see Mercedes, who are 6/5 favourites with betting sites, as world champions in 2026 and beyond.
Throughout the mid to late 2010’s and early 2020’s, Mercedes were the dominant force in F1, with Hamilton winning six driver championships.
It is clear the Mercedes hierarchy will want to master the next set of regulations, and what better way to do that than by signing arguably the best driver in the world.
Max Verstappen F1 Team 2026 Odds:
F1 Team | Odds | Probability |
Mercedes | 6/5 | 45.5% |
Red Bull Racing | 5/4 | 44.4% |
Aston Martin | 3/1 | 25% |
Audi F1 Team | 5/1 | 16.7% |
McLaren | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Cadillac F1 Team | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Stay At Red Bull Or Reunite With Newey?
Red Bull Racing (5/4) have supported Verstappen from the very beginning and have helped the Dutchman become a four-time World Champion.
Max’s loyalty could keep him at the British-based team for one more year, but with the ongoing struggles to find a suitable second driver, he could see his future elsewhere.
Another option for Verstappen is Aston Martin (3/1), and the lure of former Red Bull legendary designer Adrian Newey might prove too much for him.
Fronted by Chairman Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin have invested heavily in infrastructure and technical expertise, so 2026 could be the year that the Silverstone-based team disrupts the established top four constructors.
Although Fernando Alonso currently occupies one of the seats, the 43-year-old might soon call time on a long and illustrious career, which would make space for Verstappen.
F1 New Boys Could Snatch Verstappen
Automotive heavyweights Audi (5/1) and Cadillac (10/1) will join the 2026 grid.
The introduction of these manufacturers will bring new investment and exciting opportunities for drivers looking to take a risk for potential long-term success.
Audi will be taking control of the current Sauber outfit and have clear intentions of challenging for podiums and race wins in the near future.
History has shown that it is not as simple as just throwing money at the problem to achieve success. The likes of Toyota and BMW both pumped huge amounts of money into their F1 program and had varying degrees of success.
Although Audi currently have Hulkenberg and rookie Bortoleto signed for 2026, if Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull, the German manufacturer will move heaven and high water to get the Dutchman into one of their seats.
Cadillac are joining the F1 paddock as a brand new team, and this approach is much more challenging.
The American outfit will need to build brand new infrastructure, hire technical and experienced personnel, integrate a new power unit, understand the new regulations and get the right mix of youth and experience with their driver lineup.
Audi and Cadillac won’t want to be running around at the back, so one way to potentially prevent that is by hiring the best in class, with no one more qualified than the current World Champion.
McLaren are 8/1 with betting apps, but they are unlikely to change their current line-up of Norris and Piastri.
They might look to Verstappen if the somewhat current amicable relationship between their two drivers turns sour, especially when a championship is on the line. A Hamilton/Rosberg situation may arise, and Verstappen could swoop in and take a McLaren seat.
Best Of British
The British Grand Prix is the highlight of the F1 summer; fans flock from far and wide to enjoy a festival of speed. With four British drivers on the grid, fans have high hopes of success.
According to F1 betting sites, Lando Norris is second favourite (7/4) for British glory despite coming off a victory in Austria, with World Championship leader Oscar Piastri (6/4) leading the betting.
George Russell is 12/1 to stand on the top step of the podium, while the most successful driver to ever race at the British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, is 16/1 after a difficult start to life at Ferrari.
