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Mercedes have reportedly approved a potential salary and bonus package for Max Verstappen as they look to sign the Red Bull star.
The Silver Arrows are currently preparing for life without Lewis Hamilton, who will leave the Silver Arrows for Ferrari at the end of the season.
Verstappen has been in outstanding form this term, winning three of the first four races.
He has repeatedly insisted he’s happy at Red Bull, despite the current saga that continues to surround Christian Horner.
F1 news: Mercedes are eager to acquire Max Verstappen
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Now, according to Auto Motor und Sport, Mercedes have already approved the salary and bonus package needed in order to bring Verstappen in – providing he becomes available.
It’s claimed they would be prepared to boost Verstappen’s current salary, which is believed to be in the region of £40million a year.
In fact, Mercedes are so eager to land the Dutchman they’d pay him more than the £50m Hamilton currently pockets.
It is, however, still hard to see a move materialising.
Despite the Horner situation, Verstappen’s brilliant form this term shows that Red Bull remains the team to be at.
They have helped the Dutchman win the past three F1 titles, ending Hamilton’s dominance of the sport in the process.
And a fourth is expected to follow after Verstappen’s victories in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Verstappen isn’t the only driver being linked with a move to Mercedes.
There’s talk of a potential move for Fernando Alonso, with the F1 veteran still going strong at the age of 42.
Carlos Sainz Jr can’t be ruled out, either, with the 29-year-old set to be replaced by Hamilton at Ferrari next season.
If Mercedes can’t acquire any of the trio, however, then 17-year-old starlet Kimi Antonelli could be given a chance.
The Italian is currently learning his trade in Formula Two and is seen as a future world champion.
Toto Wolff has lavished praise on the youngster, saying: “[Antonelli] is definitely a very strong contender.
“I want to see how his F2 season develops, but we will wait and see what happens with some of the other drivers in F1.
“I don’t doubt his raw speed, talent and ability.
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F1 news: Mercedes are ready to break the bank in order to land Max Verstappen
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“We wouldn’t have supported him from go-karting until now if we didn’t believe that he has the potential to go into F1 and do so with Mercedes.
“Many young drivers have shown in the past that you can do that step.
“My feeling at the moment is that I don’t want to rush [the decision], because Kimi is part of the ideas for next year and is very much in the strongest position, and that’s why we don’t need to rush into any other decision.
“Obviously, some of the other top drivers are going to make a decision on what to do soon, but there’s a feeling that points me in a direction not to take the decision too quickly.”
Verstappen, meanwhile, is currently preparing for the Chinese Grand Prix.
F1 news: Lewis Hamilton could be replaced by Max Verstappen if Mercedes get their way
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The race is scheduled to take part on April 21 at 8am.
Hamilton won the last race in China back in 2019, while he’s also enjoyed success there in 2017, 2015, 2011 and 2008 as well.
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