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1st May 2024
02:46pm BST
Mercedes are reportedly planning to offer Max Verstappen one of the most lucrative contracts in Formula One history in a bid to lure him away from Red Bull.
Verstappen has been the number one driver on the grid in each of the last three years however his future has been a hot topic, with ongoing problems behind the scenes with Christian Horner and Helmut Marko leaving a dark cloud above the team.
Red Bull are already preparing for one major loss after chief designer Adrian Newey announced he would be leaving in 2025.
A statement from the team read: "The Team announces that Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey will leave the Red Bull Technology Group in the first quarter of 2025.
"He will remain involved in and committed to this exciting project until its completion. We’d like to thank Adrian for our achievements in the time that we have worked together so far. He has been instrumental for us in achieving a remarkable seven Formula One Drivers’ and six Constructors’ Championship titles - totalling 118 victories and 101 poles including the STR 2007 pole and victory."
With Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari in 2025, Mercedes are looking for a big name to add to their list alongside George Russell and doubts about Verstappen's long-term future at Red Bull is something they could pounce on.
Sources in Austria are claiming that the German manufacturers are even prepared to offer a £128m-a-year deal that would see the Dutchman become the highest-paid athlete in the world.
Toto Wolff has also made no secret of his desire to poach Verstappen from Red Bull and is already close to him and his family, with the pair both living in Monaco.
Despite that Verstappen is still likely to take some convincing given Mercedes' recent fall from grace.
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