Talks planned

150 million! Verstappen hammer is in the offing

Max Verstappen(Bild: AP/Associated Press)

A big move for Max Verstappen is in the offing! Mercedes is apparently getting serious and wants to sit down with the Dutchman after the Miami GP and hold talks. The racing team would dig deep into its pockets for Verstappen - there is talk of 150 million euros per year.

In addition, Verstappen would be offered a contract as a brand ambassador for the company after the end of his career, according to the wishes of CEO Ola Källenius and multi-billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe (member of the Ineos board, editor's note).

Team boss Toto Wolff has recently made no secret of the fact that he is keen to sign the 26-year-old as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen's contract with Red Bull actually runs until 2028, but after the Horner case, the signs are pointing to a separation, with Head of Design Adrian Newey likely to be the first domino to fall at the world champion team. Verstappen is set to be the next.

Toto Wolff (right) is a fan of Max Verstappen(Bild: EPA)

Money plays no role
According to the portal "f1-insider.com", there will be a meeting between Verstappen, his father and his advisor with the Mercedes shareholders after the race in Miami (May 5). Money does not play a major role. Including bonus payments, there is talk of 150 million euros per season that Verstappen could earn. This is because Hamilton's salary of more than 50 million euros per year will be available in 2025, as will a re-investment of 100 million euros in profits that the German-British team could post in the 2023 financial year.

Is Marko coming along?
If the report is to be believed, they are even prepared to let Helmut Marko go from Red Bull. Verstappen and Marko are known to have a close relationship.

It remains to be seen what they decide ...