Rumours have been circulating for some time that Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff would like to appoint Max Verstappen as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. According to the latest reports, Mercedes would hold talks with Max Verstappen’s management at the highest level after the Grand Prix race in Miami.
It is the German ‘F1 insider’ that reports on a very important meeting planned between the races in Miami and Imola. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius and the other shareholders of the Mercedes F1 team, Toto Wolff and Sir James Ratcliffe (Ineos) would sit on one side of the table while Max Verstappen, his father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen would sit on the other side.
According to insiders, the fact that the three shareholders of the Mercedes F1 team are directly involved in the negotiations underlines that Mercedes is willing to do everything it can to ensure that Max Verstappen makes the switch from Red Bull to the ‘Silver Arrows’. The fact that Lewis Hamilton is losing his heavy pay package also means that Mercedes can also dig deep into their pockets to accommodate Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull will in principle only expire at the end of 2028, but his contract would contain so-called exit clauses that could ensure that Verstappen can leave Red Bull Racing much earlier. In addition to a race seat, Mercedes would also like to give Max Verstappen a so-called ‘ambassador role’.
For Verstappen, not only the financial aspect would be important, but especially the prospect of a competitive future. And that may be one of the most difficult negotiating points because Mercedes has had a very difficult period over the past two seasons and the current season has also not started well.
However, Mercedes may be helped in 2026 by the major rule changes. For Mercedes, the new engine regulations combined with the introduction of a new generation of F1 cars offers a ‘reset moment’ where it may be able to work its way all the way back to the top of Formula 1.
We’ll have to wait and see whether Mercedes can convince Max Verstappen to take the leap…