Ex-Red Bull star dug out by Max Verstappen's dad as Mercedes drama kicks off

Jos Verstappen called former Red Bull F1 driver turned pundit Robert Doornbos a 'headless chicken' after he made claims about his son Max's contract. The reigning world champion has been heavily linked with an exit from Christian Horner's squad ahead of the 2026 season. Verstappen Jnr's future at Red Bull has been debated for the past 18 months, with rumours about a move to Mercedes first popping up early in 2024.

However, after fending off Lando Norris to win his fourth successive Drivers' Championship title, all seemed to be well in Milton Keynes. That peace and serenity did not last. With Red Bull fourth in the Constructors' Championship standings and Verstappen now 61 points behind series leader Oscar Piastri, the 27-year-old is being heavily linked with a move to Mercedes once again. However, with three years remaining on his Red Bull deal, details about a route to Brackley are muddy.

Not according to former Red Bull and Minardi racer Doornbos, though. "If the exit clauses are correct, because of course there are two clauses actually, then one will be activated if Max is not in the top two among the drivers," he told Race Cafe De Stamtafel.

"And if Red Bull is not in the top three among the constructors, then one will also be activated. The other one is about third place among the constructors, I'm 100 per cent sure it's in there.

"If a constructor can no longer deliver, then Max cannot deliver. And Red Bull is fourth." He went on to confidently add: "He's leaving. Red Bull's fairy tale stops at some point. As much as you would like to see it go ahead."

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These comments did not go down well with Verstappen's father. Jos, who has previously experienced run-ins with team principal Horner due to his unfiltered media approach, called out Doornbos on an Instagram post detailing the former F1 star's claims. "Doornbos talks like a headless chicken," he wrote.

While Verstappen Snr is unimpressed with Doornbos' claimed insider knowledge, there is no doubt about the legitimacy of Mercedes' interest. Incumbent racer George Russell let slip ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix that his squad are in talks with the reigning champion's entourage.

Red Bull will now hope to turn around their 2025 form and show Verstappen a path back to F1 glory. With their own established power unit programme and an exciting potential rookie team-mate in Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes will be an enticing prospect for the Dutchman in 2026.