Toto Wolff has reportedly told Max Verstappen he'd be able to bring Helmut Marko with him if that's what it took to get him to join Mercedes from Red Bull.
The F1 driver grid is set to look vastly different next year with Lewis Hamilton jumping from Mercedes to Ferrari.
That has set the wheels in motion for plenty of moves up and down the grid in the coming months as Mercedes look to secure Hamilton's replacement.
Wolff has made no secret of his desire to bring in Verstappen to drive alongside George Russell, despite the Dutchman's length contract at Red Bull.
Max Verstappen is wanted by Mercedes
GETTY
The Christian Horner saga earlier this season and a power struggle behind the scenes led to some questions whether Verstappen would look to leave and he threatened to do so if Marko was forced out of the team.
Red Bull were able to calm things down eventually with Marko holding clear the air talks with the team's bosses.
But that seemingly hasn't stopped Wolff from probing to find out whether it would be possible to snatch the three-time world champion away from Red Bull.
"I have heard from several people in Japan that Toto Wolff is very much after Max," F1 presenter Tom Clarkson said on the F1 Nation podcast.
"He needs his signature because things have not gone very well with the team in recent years.
"And it would be a real statement of intent if he Verstappen, right?
"And I was also told that Toto told Max, 'take Helmut Marko with you, if that's what it takes'.
"And then there would immediately be some kind of Austrian super team at the top of Mercedes.
Toto Wolff has made no secret of his desire to bring in Max Verstappen
GETTY
"But will that happen? And is he going to sacrifice a world championship in 2025 with Red Bull? I find that very difficult to believe."
He added: "I now see a bit of a static situation on the driver market.
"I see Max and Sergio Perez staying at Red Bull and Fernando will now also stay.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Max Verstappen is seen as the best driver on the grid
GETTY
"The only question mark is what happens next to George Russell. Will that be the case?
"Carlos Sainz or Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will test for Mercedes in Austria in a few weeks?
"But also, does Wolff want to give Antonelli some kilometers?"
