Mercedes are desperately trying to sign Max Verstappen for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Silver Arrows have predictably identified him as the best possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton.
Toto Wolff is seemingly using every trick in the book to try and convince the Dutchman. That’s not an easy task given that Mercedes are struggling this year.
The German giants are fourth in the constructors’ championship after six races, having finished second last year. The gap between them and Red Bull stands at a chasmic 175 points.
But Wolff is ready to offer Verstappen a ‘world-record’ contract. He’d earn even more than seven-time world champion Hamilton, and also enjoy the kind of long-term ambassadorship deal the Briton was denied.
The Mercedes team principal is willing to surround him with Red Bull allies. He’s told him that he’ll find a role for executive director Helmut Marko, if that’s what it takes.
Wolff has been advised that signing the departing Adrian Newey would improve his chances too. The cameras subsequently spotted him in talks with the 65-year-old in the Miami Grand Prix paddock.
Max Verstappen camp told the media about Toto Wolff meeting
Earlier this week, news emerged that Wolff had met with Verstappen’s camp following the race in Miami. In the course of their talks, they discussed the feasibility of a move to Mercedes.
According to a report from the Italian version of Motorsport.com, this story didn’t just emanate from Wolff. The Verstappen side has also decided to make the story ‘public knowledge’ for ‘its own reasons’.
This may come as a surprise given that the 26-year-old is currently on course for a fourth consecutive drivers’ title, leading the championship by 33 points. He’s given little public indication recently that he’s considering a move for 2025.
But there’s apparently an ongoing ‘confrontation’ behind the scenes between team principal Christian Horner and ‘the Verstappen clan’. And that’s why they’re bringing ‘their best weapons to the table’.
Is Max Verstappen really leaving Red Bull?
There’s a battle of wills going on privately, but it’s unclear to what extent Verstappen himself is involved. The likelihood remains that he’ll stay put, at least for next year.
Journalist Mark Hughes suspects that there’s disunity within team Verstappen itself. Some are pushing for a swift exit, but the 26-year-old is more inclined to hold fire.
After all, Red Bull are the favourites to win both championships again next year. He’ll be wary of foregoing a clear shot at what could be a fifth title, especially because it’s so hard to predict the future in F1.
The outlook could be very different in 12 months’ time, though. The teams will be ramping up for some of the biggest regulation changes we’ve seen in the sport’s recent history.
And Verstappen needs to ensure he’s in the best possible place to continue his dominance into a new era. That’s why there’s a ‘real possibility’ of a move away, with Mercedes the standout destination.
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