It’s only been about 24 hours since sources suggested that Adrian Newey has initiated his exit from Red Bull. And now another bombshell has been dropped on Red Bull as German sources advise that Max Verstappen is going to meet with Toto Wolff and other people of interest to negotiate a contract. It is rumored that Mercedes are willing to go as high as $160 Million a year to sign the current world champion. Let’s dive deeper into it.

Lewis Hamilton’s departure left Toto Wolff with the headache of finding a suitable replacement, a driver who’s considered on par with the 7X champs driving. Max Verstappen is arguably the only driver on the F1 Grid at the moment who ticks off those boxes. Reports even suggested that more than 90% of employees at Mercedes want the Dutchman to be the one who fills in for the outgoing Briton. 

Many F1 pundits advised that Toto Wolff has been aggressively pursuing Max Verstappen after the Dutchman’s availability was rumored after the power struggle at Red Bull because of Christian Horner’s investigation. Wolff was reported to have offered Verstappen a salary equal to that of Hamilton’s and the Dutchman was given the option of bringing Helmut Marko along with him. 

Looks like it’s all going to become a reality after the Miami GP as Soymotor suggests that German media has confirmed Max Verstappen’s meeting with Toto Wolff, Ola Kallenius who’s the CEO of Daimler group, and Sir James Ratcliff, the largest shareholder of INEOS post the Miami GP. From Verstappen’s side, his father Jos Verstappen, and representative Raymond Vermeulen are expected to be present.

Ferrari has offered Lewis Hamilton $100 million, making him the highest-paid F1 driver, but Toto Wolff is expected to go as high as $160 million to bring Verstappen back to the top spot in terms of driver’s salary. Additionally, an ambassador contract will also be offered, something that Lewis Hamilton wanted but was not offered, along with the option to bring Helmut Marko to Mercedes. While Max Verstappen’s current Red Bull contract extends till the end of the 2028 season, there’s an exit clause that allows the Dutchman to leave if Helmut Marko exits the team. 

But what about the rumored contract that Toto Wolff offered Carlos Sainz? If Verstappen signs with Mercedes, where will the Spaniard go? 

What will Max Verstappen’s Mercedes move mean for Carlos Sainz’s F1 Future?

Earlier today, Sauber confirmed Nico Hulkenberg to drive for them starting in 2025. This leaves only 1 seat open at Sauber, which will become Audi from the 2026 season. Carlos Sainz has been linked with Mercedes and Audi after he was sacked in favor of Lewis Hamilton. However, Max Verstappen signing with Mercedes will leave Sainz with the option to move to Sauber. While Audi definitely has the ambition of becoming a title contender, it will take some time. 

Even Will Buxton suggested that Hulkenberg’s move has put Sainz under a bit of pressure as he tweeted, “Hulk back to Sauber for its transition to Audi. Will put pressure on Sainz to make his mind up for the other Audi seat as swirling unrest at Red Bull continues to make headlines.” Verstappen moving will open up a seat at Red Bull, but would Sainz really want to move to a team that lost their star driver and chief technical director? 

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The drivers market is going to be full of surprises going forward and we can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. What do you think? Is $160 Million a year justified for Max Verstappen?