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Apparently some big Max news dropping at Spa this weekend
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You mean that the source is Nelson Valkenburg from Viaplay? Thet was a misunderstanding.
What is you source?
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That was it. Re-blogged by a few other outlets
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Verstappen and Mercedes press opportunity?
He [Valkenburg] also pointed out a remarkable rumor he'd heard about a possible special press opportunity.
"We're hearing rumors that we might have to prepare for some kind of press opportunity at Spa. But that hasn't been confirmed at all. That's one of those rumors where I say: I'll wait and see," he said.
Valkenburg has clearly received a lot of backlash for his statements, because he has since responded on social media.
"No, I didn't say I knew or expected there would be a press conference at Spa with an announcement about Max's future,"
he wrote in his Instagram stories. "I was just pointing out the wild rumors going around. But I think social media has already made the point for me," he added.
The mega-investment Mercedes needs to make to sign Verstappen: these are the amounts at stake
by Christian Moerman 21/07/2025
Rumors about Max Verstappen's potential move to Mercedes are becoming increasingly concrete. From subtle hints to alleged encounters on yachts off the Sardinian coast, speculation is mounting. But behind all the paddock politics and strategic considerations lies a simple reality: money. A lot of money. What exactly is the buyout fee, how does it work, and what does it mean for Mercedes?
Formula 1 is divided when it comes to driver salaries. On the one hand, you have the so-called 'pay drivers' – drivers who partially finance their seats by bringing sponsorship money. Think of drivers like Logan Sargeant or Zhou Guanyu, who contributed not only talent but also financially to their teams.
At the other end of the spectrum are the absolute top drivers, drivers who rake in millions because teams are willing to pay handsomely for their services. Verstappen undeniably falls into the latter category. He's always brought in sponsors like Jumbo, but his sporting achievements are worth far more.
He's the one for whom teams are willing to pay astronomical sums. In a sport where talent and commercial value go hand in hand, Verstappen is already at the top of the pyramid. Teams are willing to invest in him because he wins races, but also because his aggressive and daring driving style boosts television ratings, sells a lot of merchandise due to his popularity, and, on top of that, generates sponsorship deals.
Max Verstappen currently earns an estimated $78 million per year at Red Bull Racing, making him the second-highest-paid driver in Formula 1, if the generally well-informed Forbes is to be believed. This amount consists of a base salary of approximately $70 million and various performance bonuses. His current five-year contract with Red Bull has a total value of $275 million, good for an average base salary of $55 million per year.
The interesting thing about Verstappen's salary is the bonus structure. Due to Red Bull's poor performance in 2024, Verstappen reportedly missed out on $19 million in bonuses compared to 2023, when he won nineteen of the twenty-two races. This demonstrates how directly his income is linked to success—something that could influence his future choices. After all, he is currently unable to win Grands Prix. Although he has earned sufficient money, he will certainly feel this in his wallet.
The top three highest-earning drivers form an elite club that only the absolute world elite have access to. Verstappen is in second place with his $78 million, followed by Lewis Hamilton, who earns an estimated $80 million at Ferrari, plus $2 million in bonuses. Charles Leclerc, also at Ferrari, completes the podium with $27 million per year.
These three drivers top the pay scale, and that's no coincidence. In addition to several world titles, these drivers attract a large fan base that brings in money. Hamilton, with his seven titles, is one of the most successful drivers ever, while Leclerc, with his long-standing loyalty to Ferrari, has also become a key figure within the team. Moreover, due to his age, Leclerc possesses the potential that Hamilton no longer possesses.
Hamilton, with his seven world titles, is at the absolute top of the Formula 1 hierarchy. His recent move from Mercedes to Ferrari was driven not only by sporting ambitions but also by a lucrative salary package. At Ferrari, Hamilton earns an estimated $80 million per year – a figure befitting his status as one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time.
Hamilton's salary at Ferrari provides an interesting benchmark for what teams are willing to pay for proven top talent. Ferrari was willing to make that investment for a 40-year-old driver. They paid for experience, those titles, prestige and status, and commercial value in the form of sales of all sorts of things. Hamilton, like Verstappen, adds value to a brand.
Max Verstappen may have "only" four world titles compared to Hamilton's seven, but he has a major advantage: his age. At 27, Verstappen still has at least a decade of top-level racing ahead of him, especially considering what Hamilton and Fernando Alonso can still achieve in the right conditions. We know Verstappen probably won't last another decade, but theoretically, it's possible. He's still in his prime.
This age makes Verstappen exponentially more valuable than his titles alone would suggest. Teams invest not only in what he can do today, but also in what he can contribute in the coming years. An investment in Verstappen is an investment in the future, while Hamilton represents more of an investment in the present.
Mercedes' Million-Pound Offer
If Mercedes is serious about signing Verstappen, they'll likely have to offer what he earns at Red Bull, plus a significant premium to lure him on. Given his current $78 million salary at Red Bull, Mercedes would likely have to offer at least $85 to $100 million per year to be competitive. Considering his potential in the sport and what Ferrari was still willing to pay for a forty-year-old, this doesn't seem an unrealistic figure.
This figure isn't entirely unrealistic. Mercedes knows they're competing with a team that has already proven it can reward Verstappen according to his worth. Moreover, Mercedes needs to compensate for the uncertainty of a move and leaving a familiar environment. A premium of 15-25 percent on top of his current salary would be logical for such a major career move.
A move by Verstappen to Mercedes would cost Mercedes an estimated $550 million or more. This calculation consists of several components: the release clause of more than $100 million that Mercedes is reportedly willing to pay, plus an estimated annual salary of $85 to $100 million for a multi-year contract.
If Mercedes were to offer Verstappen a five-year contract worth $90 million per year, plus the $100+ million release clause, the total investment would be over $550 million over five years. That's a staggering sum, even for a factory team like Mercedes. It would make it one of the most expensive transfers in sporting history, but this isn't such a crazy scenario. It also speaks volumes about Verstappen's quality and status.
The question of whether Verstappen is worth such an investment ultimately comes down to more than just his on-track performance. Yes, he's a proven world champion with four to five years of potential ahead of him. But his value goes beyond titles alone.
Verstappen brings a commercial value that's difficult to quantify. He has opened up the Dutch Formula 1 market, sells out grandstands, and generates enormous media attention. For Mercedes, he wouldn't just be a driver, but also a marketing tool that could elevate their brand to new heights, just as Hamilton was.
Moreover, such an investment fits Mercedes' DNA as a premium brand. Just as they were willing to pay record sums for Hamilton in the past, it suits their image to go for the best driver in the world. In a sport where marginal differences can lead to major sporting achievements, Verstappen could be the one percent difference that propels Mercedes back to the top.
