Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has insisted that Max Verstappen is "certainly not available to Mercedes" for next season, ending speculation linking the Dutchman to the Silver Arrows.
Since Lewis Hamilton's multi-year deal with Ferrari for next season was announced, Verstappen has been linked to Mercedes.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff missed the chance of signing Verstappen nearly a decade ago and recently highlighted his interest in the three-time world champion.
Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, although rumours tying him to Mercedes intensified during a recent spat between Horner and the 26-year-old's father, Jos.
The upcoming 2026 power unit regulations were also a cause of some of the rumours linking Verstappen to the Brackley-based outfit, with there being some uncertainty over how strong Red Bull will be.
This is because Red Bull are developing its own power units for the first time, whilst Mercedes have a track record of impressive engines.
It is now looking highly likely that Mercedes will promote its teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with Horner firmly insuring that Verstappen is not joining the German manufacturer.
"The situation is as we've been stating all the way through the year, we know what our agreement is with Max, Max knows what his agreement is with us," Horner told Sky Sports F1.
"He's certainly not available to Mercedes for [2025], he never was. I'm sure whatever options they choose to take they've thought carefully about, and if they choose to give Antonelli the seat then you've got to commend them for taking the risk with a youngster.
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