The Formula 1 paddock has been set abuzz after Max Verstappen was spotted taking part in a Mercedes test shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 season. The sighting comes at a sensitive moment, with speculation surrounding his long-term future intensifying following a narrowly missed championship.
Verstappen’s reign as world champion ended this year when Lando Norris clinched his first title, edging the Dutchman by just two points. Despite mounting an impressive comeback in the latter half of the campaign, Verstappen ultimately fell short, bringing an end to his four-year dominance at the top of the sport.
Although he was expected to attend the FIA Awards ceremony in Uzbekistan, Verstappen withdrew at the last moment after reportedly falling ill. While Formula 1 entered its off-season lull, attention quickly shifted after footage emerged of him driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 during a private test session in Portugal, an appearance that immediately fueled widespread intrigue.
According to reports, Verstappen was testing at Estoril alongside Mercedes-AMG affiliates, working with 2 Seas Motorsport and sharing the track with factory driver Jules Gounon. The session was linked to endurance racing commitments rather than Formula 1, but the optics alone were enough to spark renewed debate about potential future moves.
Compounding the speculation are renewed discussions around Verstappen’s contractual situation with Red Bull Racing. It has resurfaced that an exit clause once existed allowing him to leave alongside Helmut Marko, though Marko later confirmed the provision was altered or removed. Even so, with Verstappen’s loyalty, principles, and competitive ambition well known, his Mercedes appearance has ensured that questions about his next chapter are far from settled.
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