Zak Brown predicts Verstappen's departure to Mercedes at the end of 2025

Zak Brown seems to have decided to play fortune teller. Or to sow discord among his rivals. The CEO of McLaren Racing thus declared in the columns of the Telegraph that he sees Max Verstappen leaving the Red Bull ship at the end of this 2025 season.And the boss of the British team has a very clear idea of ​​where the four-time reigning world champion could drop anchor from 2026.

« I think he will leave at the end of the year. Most likely to join Mercedes ", prophesies Zak Brown.

Rumors have indeed linked Max Verstappen at Mercedes during the last year, but not only. A possible transfer to Aston Martin has also been making headlines in the specialist press for several months. A possibility ruled out by Zak Brown: " We're also talking about Aston Martin, with the arrival of Adrian Newey, but as great as Adrian is – and he's the greatest of all time – you need a whole team around you. You need a company culture. That takes time."

« If I had to bet, I would bet on Mercedes., he adds. Over the last ten years, they have won the championship seven or eight times. Last year, they won five races. They are stable. We know that Toto [Wolff] appreciates it. We are all convinced that this team is the best equipped in terms of powertrain as we approach the new engine regulations for next year. »

A place would still have to become available at Mercedes to accommodate Max Verstappen. While Andrea Kimi Antonelli has signed a multi-year contract, George Russell will be out of contract at the end of this season. If Zak Brown's prophecy were to come true, could the Briton go the other way to join? Red Bull ?

ALSO READ > George Russell in Red Bull and Christian Horner's sights for 2026