The F1 rumors mill has been working overtime this past week as soon as Adrian Newey’s exit rumors from Red Bull began to float. After Newey, Max Verstappen’s Mercedes links gained life again as many reputed sources suggested that the Austrian team principal is set to make a move.
Max Verstappen, three-time world champion and Red Bull’s finest race was earlier linked to Mercedes after an alleged internal power struggle broke out in the camp. However, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, team principal Toto Wolff clarified the speculations and suggested that his focus this week will solely be on racing.
Toto Wolff Confirms No Contract Talks With Max Verstappen In Miami!
With Adrian Newey leaving Red Bull next year, speculations suggested that given the instability within the team, champion driver Max Verstappen could seek a move elsewhere, too. Interestingly, Verstappen confirmed last month that for him to stay, RB needs to be united and the same as before. However, with Newey leaving, the dynamics are subject to change, which supposedly won’t please the Dutchman. Hence, rumors flared earlier this week that Verstappen’s camp is set to meet with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff at the Miami Grand Prix to discuss a potential move for the 2025 season. Apparently, the Dutch driver’s dad, Jos Verstappen, and manager, Raymond Vermeulen, were scheduled to meet Wolff by the end of the week, precisely after the race weekend in the States.
However, days ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff shut down the rumors and claimed that no meeting was scheduled between his team and Max Verstappen. He says people make up driver meetings often, and these things, if were to happen, would happen behind closed doors. Hence, the speculations going around in the media are untrue, and he does not plan to meet anyone this week. The boss added that his focus will solely remain on racing as the Silver Arrows are ringing in their first upgrade of the season. That being said, the rumors stemmed from Wolff’s earlier submission of strong interest in Verstappen. He wants a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who’s set to leave for Ferrari in 2025, and Verstappen happened to be a real shot, given the internal crisis in Red Bull.
Mercedes Likely To Break The Bank For Max Verstappen!
Max Verstappen is the only replacement Mercedes want for Lewis Hamilton and they are willing to offer him the world to make a potential move in 2025. If recent rumors are to be believed, the Silver Arrows have agreed internally to approve a mega 150 million euros contract for Verstappen, which exceeds what Hamilton’s Ferrari contract value.
Not only that, Mercedes is also willing to offer Max Verstappen an ambassador role, the same role they denied Lewis Hamilton last year during contract extension negotiations. However, it remains to be seen if Max is ready to jump ships just yet. While Red Bull’s internal politics are growing with each passing day, the championship-winning car will be tough for Verstappent to bid goodbye to.
Stay tuned to Sports News International for more such updates about your favorite F1 team.
