According to sources, Mercedes is set to pay Max Verstappen a record-breaking salary that would more than cover Lewis Hamilton’s contract at Ferrari. Verstappen is rumored to be considering an audacious departure from Red Bull, and the Silver Arrows are reportedly considering it.

Verstappen’s long-term future with the defending champions is now seriously doubtful in light of Adrian Newey’s recent announcement of his desire to quit Red Bull. He is contracted until the end of 2028, but if Red Bull is unable to resolve their internal conflicts, there have been rumors that he may want to leave early.

Mercedes is rumored to be ready to spend a fortune for Verstappen’s signature and is well known to be a major fan of his. They are reportedly drafting a world-record offer for the Dutchman, which would entail a salary of almost £128 million per season, according to OE24.

Verstappen would become the highest-paid driver in Formula One history with this sum, more than double his current Red Bull salary. Additionally, the 26-year-old would make almost three times as much as Hamilton, who would receive a base wage of £43.6 million from Ferrari each season.

According to the story, Mercedes would also make an effort to entice Helmut Marko to join them in an effort to make Verstappen feel more at ease. 

According to numerous reports, the latter has a clause in his Red Bull contract that would permit him to leave before 2028 in the event that Marko leaves.

According to reports, Mercedes and Verstappen will square off at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix. Toto Wolff has made no secret of his desire to acquire Verstappen from Red Bull, but it remains to be seen if the Silver Arrows will be successful in doing so.

Verstappen’s potential signing has been widely discussed by the Mercedes team principal in recent weeks. Earlier this month, he stated: “There are a lot of factors that go into a driver joining a team.” Of course, the most logical perspective would respond, “Well, that’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver.”

But I don’t believe that this is the only factor in your decision to remain put. Let’s just say that for primitive minds, that might be the only justification for staying in a car. I believe Max has depth, but perhaps there is more depth to those that take other variables into account as well.

“Will we persuade him in that regard? It’s not an issue of persuasion, in my opinion. Max is the one who will likely set off further domino effects since, in my opinion, he is the one who understands motor racing the best and will make the judgments that he feels are best for him. A few other reasons may also come into play.

“Everyone is anticipating what he will be doing. I’m not Max, but if I were, I would stick with Red Bull until 2025. Although it is the fastest car, there are other considerations.