Mercedes are set to hold talks with Max Verstappen and his entourage after the Miami Grand Prix, according to reports.
And Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly plans to be part of the discussions, despite recently acquiring a minority stake in Manchester United.
Verstappen is currently preparing for tonight's Miami Grand Prix, with the 26-year-old looking to continue his impressive form.
The Dutchman has won four races so far in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Japan and China respectively to boost his chances of winning the F1 title for the fourth year in a row.
F1 news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to play a role with Mercedes hoping to secure the signing of Max Verstappen
REUTERS
Amid the Christian Horner saga, Verstappen has been linked with a move away from Red Bull.
With engineer Adrian Newey leaving the team, his own exit has fuelled talk that others could be set to follow.
Mercedes would love to sign Verstappen as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who will jump ship to Ferrari at the end of the season.
And the Daily Express say the Silver Arrows are hoping to hold talks with the sport's best driver once tonight's Grand Prix in Miami is out of the way.
It's claimed a planned meeting with Verstappen's entourage didn't take place this week.
Yet Mercedes 'hope to engage' with Verstappen, his father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen after today's big event.
Ratcliffe, along with Toto Wolff and Mercedes-Benz chief Ola Kallenius, all 'plan to be part of these discussions'.
But whether they're successful in acquiring Verstappen, and luring him away from his Red Bull comfort zone, remains to be seen.
There have been claims that Verstappen's contract has a clause that enables him to leave Red Bull if Newey goes, like he has done.
Yet Horner has insisted that isn't the case.
"Max's contract is going to remain confidential, but there are no clauses that link Adrian [Newey] in any way to Max [Verstappen]," he said.
"They've enjoyed a good relationship over the years as have our previous drivers.
"But Max understands there's been a planning process to this and it's not just a knee-jerk - the structure will not change with Adrian stepping back."
Horner added: "You report those rumblings every week, but he's still here.
"Max is very happy in the team, he's got a wonderful group of engineers around him, he's got a great car - he's in the best car on the grid. He's driving in the form of his life.
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F1 news: Max Verstappen has been linked with a move to Mercedes amid uncertainty over his Red Bull future
REUTERS
"It's not about contracts, it's about being content, and I think that's the same for any driver.
"He has that, he has that dynamic around him.
"I think what you're seeing with him is a driver that's revelling in that environment."
F1 news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to take a break from his role at Man Utd in order to be part of Max Verstappen talks
GETTY
This year is the third time the Grand Prix has been held in Miami.
Verstappen has won the previous two races in Florida in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
A hat-trick would see him extend his lead over the likes of Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc at the top of the standings.
