Mercedes are “very strongly” pursuing 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Max Verstappen and would even make room for𒉰 his ally Helmut Marko.

Tom Clarkson, the host of the FIA press conferences with F1 drivers, shared what he has beꦐen told from within the paddock about the inꦑtriguing driver market.

Verstappen is contracted by Red Bull until 2028 but has an exit♍ clause if Marko, his long-time associate, also leaves the team.

Mercedes have admitted꧙ Verstappen is their No1 choice to replace Lewis Hamilton, who will go to Ferrari next year.

Clarkson told the F1 Nation podꦚcast about Verstappen: “His only option now is to go to Mercedes, isn’t it?

“Now that Fernando Alonso is in at Aston Martin.

“Max will either stay at Red B🔴ull or go♋ to Mercedes.

“In Japan, I was tol꧋d by seve🍃ral people that Toto Wolff is pursuing Max very strongly.

“He needs a signature signing because the last three years haven’t go👍ne well for the team.

“It wouldಞ b🦋e a real statement of intent for the team if he got Max.

“It was even mentioไned to me that he said to Max ‘bring Helmut Marko with you, if that’s what it requ😼ires…’

“An Austrian super-team at the top of Mercedes?

“But is that going to happen? Will he sacrifice winning another world championship in 2025 with Red Bull?
“I find it hard to believe.

“I know see a bit of static in the driver market. I see Max staying, ♎Checo staying, Fernando is staying.”

Verstappen has insisted he will remain ꦜwith Red Bull, where he is on course for a fourth consecutive F1 championship.

But that ဣhasn’t stop💞ped Wolff publicly insisting that Mercedes want him, amid the internal turmoil at Red Bull.

Alonso re-committing to Aston 🏅Martin has removed a key op꧃tion from the driver market.

Lando Norris and Cha⛎rles ♒Leclerc are tied down by McLaren and Ferrari respectively.

The future of Sergio Perez alongside Verstappen i🍸s unclear because he is out of contract and under pressure.

But Perez’s early-season form, where he has finished P2 three times behind Verstappen, is the ideal fo𒆙rm to result in a new contract.