Speculation swirls within the Formula 1 community as reports from German magazine Auto Motor und Sport suggest that Mercedes has set its sights on three-time defending world champion Max Verstappen as the top contender to fill the void left by Lewis Hamilton’s departure.

Hamilton’s surprising announcement last month, revealing his intention to depart Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025, has sent shockwaves through the racing world. With the departure of their star driver imminent, Mercedes is in pursuit of a worthy successor to partner with rising talent George Russell in the upcoming seasons.

While Verstappen’s potential departure from Red Bull Racing may seem unlikely given the team’s current dominance in the sport, the report indicates otherwise. “At the moment Max Verstappen is the hottest candidate for the Mercedes seat next to George Russell,” Auto Motor und Sport reports, suggesting that the move, while unexpected, is not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

The controversy surrounding Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner further fuels speculation about Verstappen’s potential departure. Horner is embroiled in a scandal involving allegations of sexual harassment, and Red Bull’s sports director Helmut Marko reportedly fears losing both future engine supplier Ford and chief technology officer Adrian Newey amidst the ongoing situation.

Adrian Newey, renowned for designing championship-winning cars across four decades, adds considerable weight to the potential impact of Verstappen’s departure from Red Bull.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has done little to dispel rumors, stating, “the fastest drivers always want to sit in the fastest car. And Red Bull currently has the fastest car.” This statement, while not confirming Mercedes’ pursuit of Verstappen, suggests an acknowledgment of the Dutch driver’s potential as a prized asset.

Mercedes won’t rush F1 driver decision amid Verstappen rumours

While the likelihood of Verstappen’s move to Mercedes remains uncertain, the prospect of such a transfer could profoundly alter the Formula 1 landscape, signaling a seismic shift in the balance of power within the sport.