F1 Drama 🏎️
“I think everyone wants him, only I think Max is right for the moment,” -Jos Verstappen
F1 news alert! Rumors are flying around the racetrack that Max Verstappen might be leaving Red Bull. This isn’t exactly surprising considering the craziness Red Bull’s been dealing with lately – fights within the team and worries about whether they can still be the best beyond 2025.
Mercedes Makes a Mega Money Offer
Mercedes, eager to replace the departing Lewis Hamilton, has reportedly prepared a staggering offer for Verstappen. According to OE24 and F1 Insider, the German giants are dangling a €150 million per year contract, potentially including bonuses, to lure the Dutch driver away from Red Bull. Talks are expected to begin as early as the Miami Grand Prix.
🚨| JUST IN:
Max Verstappen and his team will meet with Mercedes after the Miami GP to negotiate his possible signing in 2025.
Mercedes are willing to offer him 150 million euros, an ambassador contract and they could even bring in Helmut Marko.
[@SoyMotor] pic.twitter.com/piiEwSJ19t— F1_MercHub (@F1MercHub) April 26, 2024
Max hasn’t been too happy at Red Bull ever since that whole Christian Horner thing blew up. There were even F1 rumorshe might ditch the team this season, but in the end, both sides said everything was okay and Max would stay put until his contract ends in 2028. However, the whispers in the paddock are loud and clear: Max ain’t happy, Red Bull’s got some internal problems, and he might be searching for an escape hatch.
Jos Verstappen Hints at Options Beyond Red Bull
Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, has further fueled speculation by suggesting they’re keeping an open mind, especially considering the significant changes coming in the 2026 F1 schedule.
🚨 Max Verstappen’s father drops huge hint on F1 champion’s Red Bull future ahead of ‘Mercedes meeting’ pic.twitter.com/ECM0zOUJjO
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) April 30, 2024
Speaking to RaceXpress during the Rally de Wallonie, Verstappen Sr said: “I think everyone wants him, only I think Max is right for the moment,” Verstappen said, as quoted by RacingNews365.nl.
“He has a fast car, but we also have to look further to 2026, so we are letting everything come to us at the moment. We stay very calm and see what will happen.”
Christian Horner says Toto Wolff should concentrate on Mercedes’ F1 problems rather than aiming to sign Max Verstappen 😬⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2JKUmgyf8w
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 23, 2024
Red Bull’s got a wrench thrown into their plans. They’re losing their Honda engine deal in 2025 and are trying to build their own with Ford. The problem? They haven’t done this before, and that’s making both Max and his dad, Jos, nervous. This engine situation might be the last straw that pushes them out of Red Bull altogether.
Red Bull Racing is entering a new era in 2026. Gone are the days of relying on engine partners like Renault or Honda; now, the team is taking full control by developing its own powertrains. The ambitious Red Bull powertrains project, in collaboration with technology partner Ford,… pic.twitter.com/nRT1ma06QY
— This is Formula 1 (@ThisIsFormu1a1) April 25, 2024
Max hasn’t exactly said he’s leaving Red Bull, but things there are shaky, and that juicy offer from Mercedes is definitely making him think. With the Miami Grand Prix around the corner, everyone’s waiting to see what Max decides. Will he stick with Red Bull despite the drama, or will the awesomeness of Mercedes and their tech that’s gonna dominate the future be too tempting to pass up?
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