After five races of the 2024 season, Red Bull may be leading once more, but Christian Horner’s team is still disrupted by drama behind the scenes ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix. Teams are getting ready for action in the US again following a free weekend, but a significant Red Bull figure is reportedly planning to depart.
According to multiple reports, chief technology officer Adrian Newey will leave the team at the end of the current campaign, one year before his contract is set to expire. Verstappen’s three championship victories were spearheaded by the design chief, so his exit will probably be viewed as a significant setback to the group.
Ferrari and Mercedes, who are currently looking for a new driver and have set their sights high on Verstappen in what would be a blockbuster double swoop if he joins Newey at the Silver Arrows, are rumored to be interested in collaborating with Newey for 2026.
Verstappen is expected to receive a record-breaking salary offer from Toto Wolff’s team, which would more than double his current pay. Red Bull is his employer until 2028, but if internal strife persists, the Dutchman might have to look elsewhere for his next move.
Jos Verstappen opens door to Mercedes
Mercedes and any other team interested in the three-time world champion can now approach Max Verstappen thanks to his father Jos.
Red Bull has a contract with Verstappen that runs until 2028, but Jos has stated that he and his son will weigh all of their options before 2026, when new rules are expected to drastically alter the F1 landscape.
Jos remarked, “I think everyone really wants Max.” “I believe that right now Max is in a good place. He drives a fast car, but we need to do more research. We are allowing everything to happen to us because we are also considering 2026. We’re going to maintain our composure and wait and see.”
Mercedes ‘plan huge Max Verstappen contract‘
According to reports, Mercedes plans to present Max Verstappen with a massive contract that would triple Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari salary for the upcoming season, making Verstappen the highest paid driver in Formula One history.
Verstappen’s future at Red Bull is now seriously under question due to Adrian Newey’s departure, and Toto Wolff is prepared to take advantage.
The Silver Arrows are willing to make him an annual salary offer of £128 million, which is more than twice his current salary.
In a devastating double swoop, they would also attempt to lure Helmut Marko away from Red Bull, as Mercedes and Verstappen are scheduled to meet prior to the Chinese Grand Prix.
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