Max Verstappen, the winner of the race, celebrated on the podium after the Chinese Grand Prix on 21.04.2024. The report states that Verstappen’s management team will hold talks with Mercedes after the Miami Grand Prix regarding a potential move to Formula 1 in 2025. Despite having a contract with Red Bull until 2028 and their successful partnership this season, there have been speculations about Verstappen’s future due to tension within the team. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been closely observing the situation and sees Verstappen as the top choice to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari. F1 Insider reports that Verstappen, his father Jos, and manager Raymond Vermeulen will meet with Mercedes shareholders between Miami and Imola. The discussions will include Wolff, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Mercedes is willing to offer a lucrative proposal, potentially reaching €150 million per year, including bonuses tied to Hamilton’s salary and the brand’s income. The contract would also involve Verstappen becoming a brand ambassador for Mercedes beyond his racing duties. Verstappen’s departure from Red Bull would be facilitated through an exit clause in his contract if Helmut Marko, the advisor to Red Bull Racing, is removed. Despite the “poisonous” atmosphere between Verstappen/Marko and Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, Mercedes remains the most likely destination for Verstappen in the event of his departure from Red Bull. Aston Martin, Ferrari, and McLaren are not viable options for 2025.
Verstappen, however, would need assurances that Mercedes will be in a more competitive state than they currently are, as they have not achieved a single podium finish so far in 2024.
Although Mercedes may struggle to regain their position as title contenders next season, the introduction of brand-new technical regulations in 2026 will present opportunities for improvement.
Red Bull’s chances of staying ahead may be compromised by the news that the brilliant engineer Adrian Newey is contemplating stepping down from his prominent design role.
There are rumors that the revamped rules will lean towards a formula that focuses on the engine, a strategy that Mercedes successfully utilized in 2014 to kickstart a streak of eight consecutive championships.
Verstappen is expected to insist that Mercedes make efforts to recruit key personnel from Red Bull in order to facilitate his transition to a new environment.