'Mercedes to offer Verstappen record F1 contract' - reports

Reports have emerged that Max Verstappen is set to be offered a mouth-watering deal to leave Red Bull.

It is believed Mercedes is eyeing up a swoop for the Dutch driver, following a myriad of comments from Toto Wolff over recent weeks about wanting to bring Verstappen to his team.

If correct, it would see the Brackley-based outfit offer the three-time F1 drivers' champion a contract worth €150 million per year, including bonuses - this is according to OE24 and F1 Insider.

It has been mooted that talks will begin as early as this week, at the Miami Grand Prix.

After what has been a turbulent few months for Red Bull, this rumour will do nothing to quell the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the team.

The internal turmoil, as a result of the now-dismissed allegations made against team principal Christian Horner, and the ensuing power struggle it has apparently caused is believed to be at the heart of recent speculation that chief technical officer and legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey is looking to leave the Milton Keynes-based squad.

A package deal?

Whilst Verstappen is contracted until the end of the 2028 season, there is said to be a break clause in his deal that would allow him to leave if advisor Dr Helmut Marko also departs the team. The Dutchman is known to have a strong relationship with the 81-year-old Austrian.

Therefore, if Mercedes are to prize him away from Red Bull early, Marko may come as part of a package deal - something that has also been suggested.

The multi-faceted and developing situation is thought to have led to uncertainty in the 'Verstappen camp', which has been compounded with concerns over Red Bull's ability to continue its domination of F1 into the next power unit and chassis regulations cycle at the start of 2026 - insecurities Mercedes is trying to take advantage of.

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