Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have secured their futures with Ferrari and Mercedes, respectively, through contract options triggered by performance clauses. Hamilton’s third season with Ferrari is automatic after meeting 2024 targets, while Russell’s Mercedes deal extends through 2027. These renewals dispel speculation about Max Verstappen’s potential move to McLaren, which had intensified amid Red Bull’s internal upheaval. Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ boss, prioritized stability over pursuing Verstappen, ensuring the team’s current lineup remains intact.

Meanwhile, McLaren’s Zak Brown hinted at hypothetical interest in Verstappen, but such talks are routine in F1’s driver market. Red Bull, however, is unlikely to let Verstappen leave, given his irreplaceable role as the team’s face and the fallout from losing key figures like Christian Horner and Adrian Newey. Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager, has leveraged media narratives to negotiate favorable terms, with Verstappen now commanding the sport’s highest salary. Red Bull’s leadership recognizes that losing him would destabilize their post-2024 rebuild, making equity deals—rather than traditional contracts—likely for his next agreement.