F1 Rumor: Toto Wolff Makes an Attempt for Adrian Newey After $160 Million Offer for Max Verstappen

Carlos Sainz was grabbing all the headlines in the driver’s market after Lewis Hamilton’s move put him out of the seat. Then Adrian Newey decided to step out in the spotlight and take Sainz’s thunder away, as the team shifted their focus away from the Spaniard and onto Adrian Newey, who is rumored to leave Red Bull. Even Toto Wolff, who has to choose between Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen as Mercedes’ driver, is now focusing on Adrian Newey, as the rumors suggest. 

Adrian Newey’s exit rumors started flooding the paddock as soon as the investigation into Christian Horner began. Soon followed the exit rumors of Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko after Jos Verstappen’s explosive statements on Horner staying with the team post-investigation. It is now reported that Adrian Newey has finally told Red Bull seniors that he wants to leave the team. 

Rumors have been going around that both Ferrari and Aston Martin want to sign the 65-year-old. Ferrari tried last year as well before the Brit signed the contract extension with Red Bull, and they are back trying to poach him. Aston Martin, on the other hand, is rumored to have offered a $100 million contract to Adrian Newey to join Fernando Alonso and Mile Krack on the Silverstone team.

Mercedes, on the other hand, is also planning to poach the mastermind away. As reported by Motorsport, Mercedes is set to make contact with Adrian Newey after the Miami GP and talk about a possible future. And just a couple of days ago, rumors came in that Toto Wolff, along with other people of interest from Mercedes’ F1 team, had set up a contract negotiation with Max Verstappen after the Miami GP and were willing to go as high as $160 million to sign the Dutchman. 

However, that’s not all, as there is more to the contract being offered by Mercedes. Let’s dive into the details and see what all the Silver Arrows are offering to lure the 3X world champion.

Toto Wolff and Co.’s rumored offer to sign Max Verstappen 

Toto Wolff has always been vocal about how he, to date, regrets not being able to sign Max Verstappen when he first emerged on the F1 scene. And now, after Hamilton’s exit, Wolff is keen to sign the Dutchman, especially given how unstable Red Bull is at the moment with the power struggle. Reports suggest that over 90% of the employees at Mercedes also want Max Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.

Toto Wolff will be accompanied by the CEO of the Daimler group, Ola Kallenius, and Sir James Ratcliff, the largest shareholder of INEOS. From Max Verstappen’s stable, Jos Verstappen and his representative, Raymond Vermeulen, are believed to have attended the negotiations. Apart from the $160 million, Mercedes is also expected to offer a brand ambassador role as well as the opportunity to bring Helmut Marko with him. 

What do you think? Are all three of Red Bull’s strong pillars, Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko, and Adrian Newey, going to join Mercedes?