F1 2026 market talk: Verstappen, Tsunoda in focus

Reports from BBC Sport, Autosport and Motorsport.com keep Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda in the 2026 F1 market conversation, without a confirmed move.

Reports across several outlets have kept Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda in the Formula 1 driver market conversation, but the supplied material does not confirm a 2026 seat change. Autosport reported that renewal options for George Russell and Lewis Hamilton had undercut rumours linking Verstappen with McLaren, while also noting that no new contracts had been signed and no formal announcements had been made.

Motorsport.com carried differing views on Verstappen's position. One report said Guenther Steiner questioned why Mercedes would try to sign him, while another said Jenson Button believed the Red Bull driver could seek an exit and viewed Mercedes as the most likely destination. Verstappen is seventh in the 2026 drivers' championship on 76 points, with 242 starts, 71 wins, 51 poles and 129 podiums.

BBC Sport also explored what Yuki Tsunoda could be doing in the 2026 season, again without a confirmed outcome. Tsunoda is listed with Red Bull in the supplied background, and no verified move involving him, Verstappen or Mercedes was confirmed in the source material.