Reports coming out of Germany last week claimed that Verstappen would meet with Mercedes after the Miami Grand Prix to make a conceivable decision.
The three-time world champion currently has a contract with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2028; However, there appear to be break clauses in this agreement.
One of them concerns Helmut Marko’s role in the organization, and it is hinted that the Austrian is on holiday in Milton Keynes.
If Marko were to leave Red Bull, Verstappen’s exit would also be clear.
To tempt Verstappen at Mercedes, F1-Insider and OE24 now claim he will be presented with a mouthwatering sum of €150 million (AU$245 million) per year.
Such a figure would be almost triple that of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and make him the highest-paid driver in F1 history.
F1-Insider also claims that Mercedes would be willing to offer Marko a role if he helps Verstappen cross the finish line.
In addition to a driving contract, it would be attractive to offer Verstappen a long-term ambassador position at Mercedes that would keep him in the organization beyond his racing career.
The 26-year-old has wondered if he will continue to race beyond the end of his current contract with Red Bull Racing, which expires when he is just 31.
Mercedes is the third property of Toto Wolff, Daimler and Ineos, the latter owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“There are so many points that influence a driving force to come together,” Wolff said of the prospect of moving Verstappen away from Red Bull Racing.
“Obviously, when you look at it from the most rational point of view, you can say, ‘This is the fastest car in the hands of the fastest driver. ‘
“But I don’t think that’s the only explanation for why you’re still where you are.
“I think, for indisputable minds, that’s the only reason you stay in a car and that’s it, but there’s more intensity for other people who also take other points into account. I think Max has that.
“On this point, should we convince him? I don’t think it’s a matter of conviction.
In its 2023 annual accounts, the Mercedes F1 team recorded a turnover of more than one billion Australians for a gross profit of 257 million AustralianArray
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