Mercedes get REJECTED: By both Vettel and Verstappen

Red Bull’s Helmut Marko claims Mercedes offered both Vettel and Verstappen drives only to be rejected.

According to Marko, this is what has been holding Hamilton’s contract signing.

“This was Toto’s mistake,” Marko told Sport Bild.

“He made an attempt to lure Sebastian Vettel and then Max Verstappen but both rejected the offer.

“This prompted Lewis to raise his price.”

It has been reported that Hamilton is asking for $60 million a year with expected earnings of $180 million over a three-year contract.

Marko went onto to demonstrate how advantageous a junior team can be.

“We would never pay such money,”

"That’s why we created a junior team. We gave a chance to Vettel, Riccardo, Verstappen instead of paying huge sums."