Mercedes car company crisis could thwart a Max move from Red Bull

[John S]

The German car company are enduring something of a crisis at the moment. According to News reports Mercedes sales are falling, prompting them to launch a cost-cutting drive. They want to save ‘several billions’ each year.

Parent company Daimler only own a third of Mercedes F1 team. The other two-thirds belong to Wolff and British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe through INEOS.

There’s no issue with affording Verstappen, but there is concern about the optics. After all, Wolff’s squad do carry the Mercedes name.

In the circumstances, it might not be the most positive message to announce an enormous salary commitment over multiple seasons. Reputably Max earns up to £59m per year including bonuses currently, making him one of the best-paid athletes on the planet. Another team may have to pay much more than this to secure his services.

As they try to project an image of frugality, Mercedes may have to consider their Verstappen pursuit ‘postponed’.

[Jericoke]

That was part of the fall of Jaguar, when the CEO found out he was the second highest paid 'employee' at Ford after some guy named "Edward Irvine".

Even though signing a top calibre F1 driver at a ridiculous salary can make a company a ton of money (hasn't Hamilton already made Ferrari over a billion dollars?), the optics matter too.  Ferrari is a luxury racing marque, so the success/failure of the race team will definitely affect their bottom line far more than success/failure of Mercedes F1 ever will to Daimler's fortunes.

I also feel that Max doesn't seem like a fit for Mercedes corporate culture.  I know that Lewis likes to do his own thing, but also knows how to keep things buttoned down when he needs to.  (Being Ron Dennis's protege will do that I expect).  Mercedes doesn't strike me as a 'win at all costs' team like many F1 teams are, but rather buckle down and build the best program.  (I'm sure behind the scenes it's all pretty much the same level of win at all costs no matter which factory you're working at, but appearances and corporate cultures are the subject here)

[Willy]

I still have respect for Toto but that will quickly evaporate if he takes on Verstappen.