Max Verstappen is reportedly set to talk with the Mercedes F1 team about a potential move. Should the three-time world champion leave Red Bull Racing, it appears he would make a significant financial gain with the Silver Arrows.
We are now five Grands Prix into the 2024 Formula 1 season, but the turmoil at Red Bull that emerged in February has not yet settled. Team boss Christian Horner was accused of inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague, and after an independent investigation, Red Bull GmbH dismissed the complaint.
However, alleged WhatsApp photos of the conversations later leaked. The employee has also filed an official complaint with the FIA, and her appeal is being handled by the King’s Council in the United Kingdom.
Adrian Newey May Leave Red Bull
Adrian Newey, the chief designer and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of Red Bull Racing, wants to avoid the background drama and politics. The 65-year-old Brit wishes to peacefully continue the work he is passionate about. Newey, who was with McLaren before joining Red Bull, left the Woking team due to political games.
According to well-informed sources from Auto Motor und Sport and the BBC, he is expected to soon resign from the energy drink manufacturer. Red Bull would then have to manage without the brain behind so many dominant F1 cars. Max Verstappen could use Newey’s potential departure as an opportunity to leave Red Bull as well.
Post-Miami Discussions
Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull through 2028, but it reportedly includes a clause that allows him to leave earlier if there are significant changes at the team’s top level. He is now being linked with Mercedes, and according to F1-Insider, Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen, his father Jos Verstappen, and Max himself will sit down with Mercedes-Benz chairman Ola Källenius, INEOS CEO Jim Ratcliffe, and Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff after the Miami Grand Prix.
The three owners of the German racing team could offer Verstappen a total of 150 million euros per year. Lewis Hamilton’s salary, who is moving to Ferrari after this year, will be freed up, and an additional 100 million euros would be available from the team’s profit last season.
Mega Deal
It is rumored to be a long-term contract that would offer Verstappen the chance to become a brand ambassador until the end of his career. Additionally, Mercedes is also looking to bring in Red Bull’s head advisor Helmut Marko, to whom Verstappen is loyal, to further persuade the Dutchman to accept the deal.
If he is offered 150 million euros per year by Mercedes, Verstappen’s contract would be significantly more valuable than Hamilton’s, who would earn just over 50 million euros per year with the Silver Arrows.
