McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has shared his concerns about Max Verstappen's potential move to the Mercedes F1 team, saying he would be a bigger threat than he is at Red Bull. George Russell recently admitted that his contract extension was on hold amid ongoing talks between Mercedes and Verstappen.

Slater has estimated that it could cost the 27-year-old in excess of £100m to break free from his Red Bull deal – and that team and driver could eventually come to a compromise to allow Verstappen to walk away and join Mercedes.

Max Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull through 2028, but a performance clause has given Mercedes and opportunity to poach the world champion.