Mercedes might need already made contact with Max Verstappen of their seek for a Lewis Hamilton alternative, says Helmut Marko.
Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari in 2025 means Mercedes are already busily contemplating learn how to change the seven-time F1 champion.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris are newly-contracted to their present groups whereas Verstappen is tied down long-term at Pink Bull.
However Pink Bull’s Marko was requested if Mercedes would possibly attempt to contact Verstappen.
“I’d be shocked in the event that they hadn’t,” he replied to Krone Zeitung.
“However Max is a really loyal driver.”
Hamilton will spend one last yr at Mercedes, the staff which has helped him obtain six of his seven championships.
Marko was requested what he expects from Hamilton this yr, after a win-less two seasons.
“Lewis is an distinctive driver,” he replied.
“If they offer him a automobile that’s able to profitable [races] or perhaps a World Championship, they must contain him till the top – and so simply bounce over their shadow.”
Toto Wolff has insisted that Mercedes don’t have any considerations over Hamilton’s “integrity” in his last yr earlier than shifting to a direct rival.
Pink Bull, in the meantime, stay F1’s staff to beat after only one grand prix in 2024.
Verstappen cruised to victory in Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, with Sergio Perez second.
Final yr they gained all-but-one grands prix – can they do it once more?
“There are additionally route-specific parameters,” Marko insisted.
“If you do not get pole in Monaco or Singapore, it will likely be tough to win.
“That is not our objective, in fact we wish to get near this dream consequence, however the competitors has gotten nearer.
“Our objective is the championship.”
The RB20 shocked a lot of the F1 paddock when, regardless of the dominance of final yr’s automobile, it was revealed with a courageous new idea.
“With all our know-how, we had been capable of develop an idea that was extra revolutionary than evolutionary,” Marko mentioned.
“So we may go to extremes with out risking it being a flop.
“As well as, the phrase conservative merely doesn’t exist within the minds of our technicians round Pierre Wache and Adrian Newey – that can be a part of Pink Bull’s DNA.
“Sure, we shocked everybody with this automobile, one have a look at the slender facet pods is sufficient.
“You can too see that your complete discipline, let’s name it, was based mostly on our automobile. So our bundle suits.”
