Mercedes desperate to sign Verstappen: '£128m-a-year offer'

Mercedes are ready to lure Max Verstappen away from Red Bull by offering him a whopping £128 million, which would be the highest salary ever in Formula 1 history. According to sources in Austria, the figure is £128 million a year.

Record deal for Verstappen

Following the news that Adrian Newey plans to leave Red Bull Racing, it seems that the Verstappen team wants to go down the same path. It was announced last Tuesday that Verstappen's father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen will soon consult with the three owners of Mercedes, including team boss Toto Wolff, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, shareholder of Ineos and Manchester United.

Team Verstappen have made it clear that they are considering other teams because of differences with team boss Christian Horner. Although Horner was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague and was later cleared of these charges, Jos Verstappen believes his actions have divided the team.

Horner has said he will not stand in Verstappen's way, despite the driver's contract, which runs until 2028 and amounts to £40 million annually. If Verstappen were to break this contract, it would mean that Mercedes, or any other team he switches to, would have to compensate him.