Mercedes urged to block Lewis Hamilton dream with Max Verstappen bonus up for grabs
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he wants to work with Adrian Newey
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Former F1 star Gerhard Berger believes Mercedes could land Max Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton's replacement if they manage to bring in Adrian Newey.
F1 is set for big changes in 2025 following Hamilton's announcement earlier this year that he'll be joining Ferrari.
That's opened up a rare seat at Mercedes with Toto Wolff openly admitting he would like to try and steal Verstappen away from Red Bull.
The Dutchman is signed up until the 2028 season, but sparked speculation over his own future when Helmut Marko's position at the team was in jeopardy.
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he wants to work with Adrian Newey
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There is a reported release clause in Verstappen's contract with Red Bull and Berger believes Mercedes may be able to get their man by virtue of nabbing Newey.
The iconic F1 car designer will be able to start working with another team in early 2025 after negotiating an early release from his Red Bull contract.
And Berger, who won F1 races during his career, feels Newey's next move will have a huge impact on the grid in the coming years.
"It's a must for every team to want to get him," Berger told Bild.
"If he opted for Mercedes, Verstappen would be there in no time at all.
"Newey is an absolute genius - where he is, there is success. He has proven that over the last 25 years.
"At the moment, however, it looks like Newey will end up at Ferrari.
"If that happens, and I'm assuming it will, a new era of success could begin with team boss Frederic Vasseur, Newey, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton.
"In my view, this combination could be very difficult for the others to beat."
Toto Wolff wants Max Verstappen to replace Lewis Hamilton
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If Mercedes do manage to nab Newey after he leaves Red Bull then it will come as a huge blow to Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion has openly admitted that he would love to work with Newey at Ferrari.
“I mean, Adrian’s known for… he’s got such a great history, track record, and has obviously just done an amazing job through his career, in engaging with teams and the knowledge he has," Hamilton said earlier this year.
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“I think he would be an amazing addition.
"I think they’ve [Ferrari] already got a great team, they’re already making huge progress, strides forwards – their car’s quicker this year.
"But yeah, it would be a privilege to work with him.”
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