Max Verstappen may earn a more lucrative amount at Mercedes compared to his current salary at Red Bull. The Dutchman has excelled exceptionally in his career, becoming a highly sought-after driver. If tensions at Red Bull persist beyond the 2024 season, Verstappen may consider exploring other options.
Verstappen has previously expressed that a move to Mercedes was something he believed to be necessary. When questioned by the media, he did not deny the possibility of joining the Silver Arrows. However, he made it clear that he would only stay at Red Bull if key people and important factors remained in place. If similar problems to the investigation saga were to occur again, Verstappen would be open to joining another team.
Reports suggest that Mercedes is prepared to offer Verstappen a higher salary than what he currently receives. This could be a tempting proposal for the Dutch driver, considering the success he has achieved with Red Bull. However, Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season.
In 2023, Verstappen won the World Championship and earned $55 million, excluding bonuses. In contrast, Hamilton finished third and earned $35 million, excluding bonuses. If rumors about Verstappen’s possible move to Mercedes are true, he may be seeking a significantly higher income.
Verstappen has never shied away from criticizing Formula 1 when he disagrees with its rules and regulations. Recently, he raised concerns about the direction in which the sport is heading and called for major changes to be implemented by the 2026 season. He hopes to optimize the challenges in Formula 1 for the future.
One of Verstappen’s main concerns is the weight of the cars. He believes that, instead of relying on “tools and tricks”, Formula 1 should focus on reducing the weight of the machines. He suggests that there are several ways to address this issue and make the cars faster.
The official chassis rules for 2026 have not yet been confirmed by Formula 1. If Verstappen continues to advocate for weight reduction, the sport may consider incorporating some adjustments. However, time is running out for the new regulations to be declared, as teams need enough time to develop their cars for the next era of Formula 1.
