Revealed! Staggering contract sum offered by Mercedes to lure Verstappen from Red Bull
Austrian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen on pole as Lando Norris takes second for Saturday's spirnt race
Three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has been offered a staggering$160 million contract to make the switch to Mercedes from rival team Red Bull, next season, according to leading Austrian publication, OE24.
Verstappen's team is actively considering the proposal which would make him the highest-paid athlete in the world, the report added.The publication further claimed that Verstappen’s Mercedes salary would also include post-racing ambassador duties.
"The Dutchman is expected to earn 150 million euros per season. Including bonuses. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff really wants the 26-year-old to join the Silver Arrows."
Despite signing a long-time contract with Red Bull, Verstappen has remained somewhat hesitant about his future with the team after allegations of improper conduct surfaced against team principal Christian Horner, earlier this year.
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Verstappen's departure from Red Bull is also being seen likely as design guru Adrian Newey looks set to leave the team, according to a recent BBC report. The final straw for Verstappen could beRed Bull Motorsport director Helmut Mark being poached by Mercedes, as the German motorsport team goes for the kill.
Verstappen has stated on multiple occasions that if Marko leaves the team, he might ponder his future with Red Bull.
Meanwhile, Wolff has made it clear on multiple occasions that he would love to sign Verstappenif he decides to leave Red Bull.
“We have a slot free, the only one in the top teams, unless Max decides he goes, then the slot is not going to be free with us anymore. There are a few options that are really interesting for us, from the very young super-talent to some of the older ones who are very experienced," saidWolff.
After Verstappen won the Chinese Grand Prix, Horner hit back at Wolff for trying to persuade Verstappen to join the German outfit.
“Why would you want to leave this team [Red Bull]? I don’t think Toto’s problems are his drivers. He has other elements he needs to focus on, rather than focusing on drivers that are unavailable. Mercedes are behind their customer teams at the moment," saidHorner.
"Today we moved ahead of Mercedes in terms of races won in the modern era. So, the team is in form. Why on earth would you want to leave?," he added.
Current Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will be moving to Ferrari in the 2025-25 season which has led to Wolff looking for replacements.
(With inputs from agencies)