Lewis Hamilton Open to Max Verstappen Joining Mercedes, Recommends His Former Team

Lewis Hamilton stated he would endorse Mercedes to Max Verstappen and wouldn`t view his former rival joining his previous team as an issue.

Mercedes principal Toto Wolff has been making efforts to recruit Verstappen from Red Bull since Hamilton`s departure to Ferrari for the current season was confirmed in February 2024.

While Wolff`s attempts for 2025 were unsuccessful, recent weeks have seen renewed speculation that Verstappen, a four-time consecutive world champion, might move to Mercedes for the 2026 season.

Verstappen narrowly defeated Hamilton for the 2021 drivers` championship in a controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi, an event that led Hamilton to question his future in the sport.

When asked at the British Grand Prix about the possibility of Verstappen moving to Mercedes, Hamilton commented, “Max didn’t do anything wrong. He achieved what he needed to win, so I don’t see it as a problem.”

The seven-time champion mentioned he would recommend his old team to Verstappen while also acknowledging Red Bull`s strengths.

Hamilton said, “Of course, I would recommend Mercedes.” He reflected on a past comment where he referred to Red Bull merely as a `drinks company`, made during a time when he was fiercely loyal to Mercedes and trying to motivate his team.

He expressed regret for that comment, clarifying that Red Bull is indeed an exceptional team with talented individuals, and they have dominated the sport for several years.

However, he also added that Mercedes is an excellent team characterized by passion, skilled staff, a top-tier factory, and a great working atmosphere, which is why he would recommend it. He finished by saying he is curious to see how things unfold.

A significant factor influencing Verstappen`s potential move to Mercedes is the widespread belief in the paddock that Mercedes is poised to develop the strongest engine under the radical new regulations set for 2026.

Red Bull is developing its own engine for 2026 for the first time, with rumors suggesting they are lagging behind competitors like Mercedes in development.

Asked what would be the deciding factor for Verstappen, Hamilton replied, “He will be considering the engine. Mercedes is expected to build a remarkable engine next year, as that’s a particular strength of theirs. That will certainly be the most important aspect.”

Regarding whether the prospect of Verstappen driving a 2026 Mercedes was “scary,” Hamilton responded, “Max is a formidable competitor in any car. I don’t really dwell on it.”