Source: REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
[Saba Sports News] Christian Horner, the core figure of Red Bull, was recently fired, and following this personnel change, rumors about Max Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes have intensified. Some even interpreted it as a signal for a transfer, especially after he drove a Mercedes car in a simulation race. The rumor about Verstappen and Mercedes has been going on for weeks, and it has become more intense after Horner’s departure. George Russell previously claimed that “negotiations are ongoing,” and according to Italian media reports, the Mercedes board has given the green light to sign Verstappen, preparing to pay up to £100 million in release fees, plus £50 million per year in salary. Although the news has not been officially confirmed, during the British Grand Prix, Verstappen driving a Mercedes simulation car once again brought the rumors to the forefront. In response to the wild speculation, Red Bull’s senior advisor Helmut Marko said, “Why can’t he drive a Mercedes? He drives Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Audi in real life. None of these mean anything.”