Mercedes may now have to postpone Max Verstappen move because it could upset one key shareholder

Mercedes clearly haven’t given up on signing Max Verstappen. But it seems Toto Wolff’s dream of landing the four-time world champion may have to wait for another year.

Wolff’s reaction to the incident between Verstappen and George Russell at the Spanish GP was telling. Some feel that the Red Bull driver deliberately drove into his rival after an instruction to return the position.

But Wolff was extremely diplomatic in the circumstances. This was clearly a team boss trying to maintain strong relations.

Russell still hasn’t signed a contract extension at Mercedes, but that is the direction of travel. Kimi Antonelli is a star of the future and there’s very little doubt that he’ll stay put in the second seat.

Verstappen’s contract includes an exit clause based on his championship position in the coming weeks and months. But even if he is frustrated with Red Bull’s regression, it would make sense to wait and see how the regulation changes this winter play out.

Mercedes car company crisis could thwart Max Verstappen move

A report from Motorsport Italy raises another issue that could prevent Verstappen joining Mercedes. The German car company are enduring something of a crisis at the moment.

As noted by BBC News, Mercedes sales are falling, prompting them to launch a cost-cutting drive. They want to save ‘several billions’ each year.

Parent company Daimler only own a third of the Mercedes F1 team. The other two-thirds belong to Wolff and British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe through INEOS.

• READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff

There’s no issue with affording Verstappen, but there is concern about the optics. After all, Wolff’s squad do carry the Mercedes name.

In the circumstances, it might not be the most positive message to announce an enormous nine-figure commitment over multiple seasons. Verstappen earns up to £59m per year including bonuses, making him one of the best-paid athletes on the planet.

As they try to project an image of frugality, Mercedes may have to consider their Verstappen pursuit ‘postponed’.

How Max Verstappen’s wages compare with Lewis Hamilton and other F1 rivals

George Russell will likely expect a pay rise if he signs a new deal. His £12.5m wages may not reflect his status within the sport.

Russell wants the same wages as Lando Norris, who boasts similar pedigree. But as Motorsport IT note, Verstappen would also seek a salary bump if he signed a blockbuster Mercedes deal.

As the table above shows, his base earnings are higher than Lewis Hamilton, the most successful F1 driver ever. Hamilton’s deal is more lucrative when bonuses are factored in, but he’s unlikely to achieve many of those at Ferrari this year.

Wolff may argue that signing Verstappen would boost the prestige and marketing potential of the Mercedes brand. But even the presence of Hamilton couldn’t offset their decline.