Mercedes could not ‘guarantee’ Max Verstappen that they would match his Red Bull £60m salary

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Max Verstappen was partly motivated by salary concerns when he turned down Mercedes last year, it has emerged. Verstappen was known to be in talks with the Silver Arrows last year.

Verstappen’s performance-based exit clause never became active, but the very fact he negotiated with Toto Wolff suggests there were other ways out of his deal.

In the end, Mercedes handed contract extensions to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, who are now driving comfortably the quickest car on the grid while Verstappen toils in the midfield with Red Bull.

Salary was an obstacle in Max Verstappen Mercedes talks

Motorsport Italia journalist Roberto Chinchero believes that Verstappen’s perspective on the rules would be ‘a little’ different if he were winning races for Mercedes. The four-time world champion maintains that his grievances are not linked to Red Bull’s present struggles.

However, Laurent Mekies is confident that Verstappen’s mood will improve if Red Bull give him the tools to fight at the front again. Clearly, they believe at least some of his frustration is results-based, and Toto Wolff agrees.

Is Toto Wolff planting the seeds for poaching Max Verstappen from Red Bull? 🤔

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Verstappen could have been driving a Mercedes this year, but the report states that he chose ‘personal freedom’ (to pursue his GT3 racing interests) and a higher salary at Red Bull.

Red Bull pay Verstappen £60m per year, and Mercedes could ‘never guarantee’ that they would be able to match that figure. For reference, Russell is earning £30m a year through his extension.

If it’s ‘Mercedes or nothing’ for Max Verstappen, the outcome is clear

A recent report claimed that Verstappen is now determined to join Mercedes, so much so that he’s willing to walk away from F1 completely if he can’t make the move.

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen has now taken ‘Mercedes or nothing’ stance on staying in Formula 1

But Antonelli has just won back-to-back races, seemingly proving that Wolff was right to consider him a future superstar. Russell is also in control of his future beyond 2026 through a performance clause in his deal.

Wolff recently ruled out signing Verstappen, and while such statements can sometimes be viewed with scepticism, it will be even more difficult to justify the expense to the board.

There were already indications last year that Mercedes saw Verstappen as too expensive. He’s clearly a driver who can make the difference, but if they maintain a cushion over their rivals, they may not need that luxury.