Max Verstappen, the race winner, celebrated on the podium after the Chinese Grand Prix on 21.04.2024. The report states that Verstappen’s management team will have discussions with Mercedes after the Miami Grand Prix about a possible move to Formula 1 in 2025. Despite having a contract with Red Bull until 2028 and their successful partnership this season, there have been speculations about Verstappen’s future due to tensions within the team. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been closely monitoring the situation and sees Verstappen as the top option to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is heading to Ferrari. F1 Insider reports that Verstappen, his father Jos, and manager Raymond Vermeulen will meet with Mercedes shareholders between Miami and Imola. The discussions will involve Wolff, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Mercedes is willing to offer a lucrative proposal, potentially reaching €150 million per year, including bonuses tied to Hamilton’s salary and brand income. The contract would also involve Verstappen becoming a brand ambassador for Mercedes in addition to his racing duties. Verstappen’s departure from Red Bull would be facilitated by a termination clause in his contract if Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko is removed. Despite the “toxic” environment between Verstappen/Marko and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, Mercedes remains the most likely destination for Verstappen in case of his departure from Red Bull. Aston Martin, Ferrari, and McLaren are not viable options for 2025.
However, Verstappen would need assurances that Mercedes will be in a more competitive state than they currently are, as they have not yet achieved a single podium in 2024.
Although Mercedes may struggle to regain its position as a title contender in the upcoming season, the introduction of new technical regulations in 2026 will present opportunities for improvement.
Red Bull’s chances of staying ahead may be compromised by the news that brilliant engineer Adrian Newey is considering stepping back from his prominent design role.
There are rumors that the revamped rules will lean towards a formula that focuses on the engine, a strategy that Mercedes successfully used in 2014 to kickstart a streak of eight consecutive championships.
Verstappen is expected to push for Mercedes to make efforts to recruit key personnel from Red Bull in order to facilitate his transition to a new environment.
