"I think Max Verstappen would look good in silver too, right?": Mercedes-Benz CEO flirts with Red Bull champion to join the 8x WCC

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius flattered Max Verstappen to join the Silver Arrows. Shortly after the Dutchman sealed his seventh win at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the CEO teased his desire to put the RB20 driver in a Mercedes seat.

The Spanish GP marked the tenth race on the calendar and witnessed Verstappen adding another victory. Despite McLaren's Lando Norris setting the stage with his fastest qualifying, the Brit got sandwiched between George Russell and Max and was forced to let them pass before even making it to Turn 1. Moving forward, the 3x WDC took the lead on Lap 3 after a wheel-to-wheel battle with Russell.

The 2026 season will bring new engine regulations that could reset the current dominance of the Milton Keynes-based outfit. As a result, the teams having a strong hold on their engines and a vacant seat might approach Max Verstappen to sign with them.

Ola Kallenius is among the suitors for the Red Bull champion and the former recently teased the idea of Verstappen driving a Mercedes. During a conversation with Sky Sport DE, Kallenius suggested bringing the Dutchman to the 8x WCC's outfit and said (via Racing News 365):

"The best driver wants to have the best car. And it's our job to put together the best package. The cards will be reshuffled in 2026. That's also an opportunity, so who knows? I think Max would look good in silver too, right?"

However, it's not the first time Max Verstappen has been linked to Mercedes. Rumors of the Red Bull driver's switch have been doing rounds in the F1 community from as early as early February this year.

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"Anything is possible" - Toto Wolff on Max Verstappen's odds of joining Mercedes

Before the first race of the season kicked off, Christian Horner's controversy had shaken the entire paddock, and Max Verstappen's future with the outfit came under a big question mark. Moreover, Toto Wolff's alleged talks with Jos Verstappen after the Bahrain GP triggered speculations about the reigning world champion's switch to the German outfit.

Even though Verstappen's contract is until the 2028 season, Wolff hasn't shied away from publicly courting the Dutchman and didn't sideline the notion of hiring him.

Shortly after the season-opener Bahrain GP was done and dusted, Wolff was asked about his meeting with Jos in the paddock. The Silver Arrows boss tried to downplay the situation and said (via F1-insider):

"I have known Jos for 25 years - with ups and downs and I simply congratulated his son on his achievements. Max is driving in a galaxy of his own."

However, with Lewis Hamilton set to move to Ferrari next season, the second seat is so far vacant for 2025. Toto Wolff claimed that if he could bring Verstappen to his stable when the 7x WDC departs, he would.

"Anything is possible," he said.