Mercedes Rumoured to Offer $150 Million Deal to Hamilton Replacement During Miami GP Weekend
As the Formula 1 circus rolled into Miami for one of the most glamorous stops on the calendar, paddock chatter shifted away from lap times and toward an eye-watering rumour: Mercedes is believed to have tabled a $150 million offer to their top candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025. If true, the deal would rank among the most lucrative contracts in F1 history and mark a bold new era for the Silver Arrows.
Post-Hamilton Era Looms Large
Lewis Hamilton’s shock decision to join Ferrari in 2025 left Mercedes with a seismic gap to fill. Replacing a seven-time world champion, the face of the team for over a decade, and one of the most marketable figures in global sport is no easy task.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been calm but deliberate about finding the right successor. The goal is not just to find a fast driver, but someone capable of leading the team through the upcoming regulatory reset in 2026, bringing both performance and leadership to Brackley.
And now, sources from inside the paddock suggest Mercedes has made its move.
The Miami GP Setting
The rumoured offer reportedly emerged during the Miami Grand Prix weekend an event known as much for its VIP glitz as for its championship implications. It was during this high-profile environment that whispers started to circulate: Mercedes has offered a $150 million multi-year deal to its number one Hamilton replacement candidate.
Though the identity of the driver has not been officially confirmed, all signs point toward one man: Max Verstappen.
Verstappen the Target?
The reigning world champion is under contract with Red Bull through 2028, but ongoing internal tensions at the Milton Keynes-based team particularly following the controversy surrounding team principal Christian Horner, and recent departures such as Adrian Newey have sparked speculation that Verstappen may be reconsidering his long-term commitment.
Toto Wolff has publicly stated his admiration for Verstappen and hasn’t ruled out pursuing him.
“If he ever becomes available, any team would be foolish not to consider him,” Wolff said earlier this season.
The rumoured Miami proposal is believed to be a direct attempt to test Verstappen’s resolve. A $150 million offer would significantly outpace most current driver salaries, including Hamilton’s final Mercedes contract.
🚨| JUST IN:
— Mercedes Hub (@MercedesF1_Hub) April 26, 2024
Max Verstappen and his team will meet with Mercedes after the Miami GP to negotiate his possible signing in 2025.
Mercedes are willing to offer him 150 million euros, an ambassador contract and they could even bring in Helmut Marko.
[@SoyMotor] pic.twitter.com/piiEwSJ19t
What the Deal Would Entail
While no specifics have been officially disclosed, insiders suggest the offer includes:
- A base salary exceeding $50 million per year, over a three-year term
- Performance bonuses, including title win incentives and Constructors’ Championship clauses
- Personal branding freedom, similar to the latitude Hamilton was granted at Mercedes
- Influence on technical direction, particularly ahead of the 2026 engine regulation overhaul
In short, the deal would not only make the recipient one of the highest-paid athletes on the planet—it would position them as the cornerstone of Mercedes’ next era.
Other Possible Candidates
While Verstappen is the headline name, Mercedes has also reportedly held talks with other potential successors, including:
- Carlos Sainz – available at the end of 2024 and eager to land a top seat after being displaced by Hamilton at Ferrari
- Fernando Alonso – a wild card with unmatched experience, but age and long-term fit are concerns
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes’ junior prodigy, but still untested at F1 level
- Alex Albon – highly rated for his work at Williams, but seen as a second-tier choice compared to Verstappen
However, none of these drivers would realistically command a $150 million offer further strengthening the case that the rumoured mega-deal is designed specifically for a driver of Verstappen’s calibre.
Red Bull Responds Quietly
Red Bull Racing has not commented publicly on the Miami rumour, but sources close to the team have insisted that Verstappen is under a “firm and long-term” contract, and that they have “no intention” of releasing him early.
Still, recent internal turbulence may have created openings Mercedes is eager to exploit. Verstappen has hinted in previous interviews that stability and clarity within the team are important to him qualities that may now feel compromised.
“I want to be in an environment where I can just focus on racing and trust the people around me,” Verstappen said recently, fueling speculation.
Mercedes’ Long Game
With the 2026 engine regulations looming and Mercedes reportedly confident in its next-gen power unit securing a superstar driver now could give the team a vital strategic edge.
The Miami proposal, if real, signals that Mercedes is not content to rebuild quietly. Instead, the Silver Arrows want to make a statement: that the end of the Hamilton era is not the end of their dominance.