Max Verstappen to Mercedes theory shared by ex-driver as clue spotted

Juan Pablo Montoya believes Max Verstappen may have already signed for Mercedes after spotting a clue at the Austrian Grand Prix. The reigning champion has been tipped to leave Red Bull at the end of this year despite being tied down until 2028. It has been reported that a number of contract clauses would allow him to depart if certain conditions are not met.

Mercedes have been openly courting Verstappen with Toto Wolff eager to bring him to the Silver Arrows. As things stand, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are only under contract until the end of the current campaign. Russell has already suggested that Mercedes are hesitant to offer him a new deal because they are interested in signing Verstappen.

Now, it has been claimed by Montoya that a deal might already be done and dusted. It comes after Antonelli crashed into Verstappen on the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix, ending both of their races.

Verstappen is known for being hot-headed but his reaction to the incident was surprisingly calm. Instead of throwing a fit, the 27-year-old chatted with Antonelli and refused to criticise the Mercedes rookie in his post-race interviews.

Montoya believes that Verstappen might have already signed to race alongside Antonelli next season, given his muted reaction to their collision.

The former Williams and McLaren driver told PlanetF1: "If you wanted to read into things, why was Max so nice to Kimi after their collision? Are they already team-mates?

"I think he [Antonelli] braked too late. I think he was surprised how early everybody braked. He stood on the brakes, locked the rears, tried to avoid a big shunt and then he collided with Max but it could have been a lot worse.

"If this decided the championship, Max would have blown up. But I think when that happened, in the way it did, he goes: 'I would have done the same thing, I probably would have done the same thing'.

"I mean, inside he would be laughing about it. I think Max was having such an awful weekend that he was kind of probably glad that it happened."

Russell, meanwhile, faces an uncertain future given his contract situation and Montoya believes he deserves more respect from Mercedes.

"I think he's done a good enough job that he should have more stability than what he has right now, but it's the luck of the draw with how things pan out," said the Brazilian.

"It sucks sometimes. Timing is so important that if you're on the wrong side of the timing, it's hard. Personally, I don't know if George has spoken to more people.

"I think if Toto would see that George started to look at options, I think they would look at George differently. I think George to a fault is maybe too loyal."