In the high stakes world of Formula 1, driver salaries often match their high-speed performances. One such driver, Max Verstappen, has recently disclosed a humorous interaction that occurred between his management and McLaren CEO, Zak Brown. Verstappen, currently touted as one of the most valuable players in the sport and chasing his fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship title, commands a staggering salary of $65 million.
Zak Brown, looking to potentially recruit Verstappen for McLaren, initiated a discussion with the Dutch driver’s management. According to De Telegraaf, Brown was interested in understanding Verstappen’s contractual obligations with Red Bull to assess any potential availability the driver might have. However, the conversation, Brown confirmed, remained a singular attempt to ‘explore the market.’
When asked about this reported interaction, Verstappen humorously suggested that the conversation was short-lived once Brown got a sense of the financial commitment involved. “He didn’t call me,” Verstappen told Viaplay, “Yes, he did reach out to my management, but I think that conversation didn’t last long. When he knew how much he would have to pay, it was over immediately.”
When probed about what exactly ‘how much’ was, the driver simply laughed and said, “A lot!”
While the prospect of Verstappen joining McLaren might have been short-lived, there seems to be persistent interest from Aston Martin. Despite this, Verstappen has repeatedly stated his contentment with his current team, Red Bull. “I’m happy where I’m at here,” he affirmed, adding that he’s focusing his energy on racing rather than entertaining alternative offers.
This sentiment is mirrored by Toto Wolff, who recently called off his pursuit of the four-time World Champion. Wolff, not wanting to “flirt” outside of his relationship with drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, stated, “I won’t flirt outside if I’m in a good relationship, and this is true for this year too. So at the moment, that [signing Verstappen], is not on any radar.”
As the F1 season continues, it’s clear that while Verstappen remains a desirable asset for several teams, the driver is firmly rooted in Red Bull, and the astronomical cost associated with his recruitment is enough to give even the most ambitious team managers pause.
