Helmut Marko thinks Lewis Hamilton is unhappy that Max Verstappen earns more than him – and could be tempted to join Ferrari as a result.
Financial experts Forbes revealed late last year that the Dutchman had overtaken his Formula 1 rival on the list of the world's highest-earning sports stars. Hamilton is believed to have a higher base salary at £45.6m, but bonuses saw Verstappen rake in a total of £49.8m over the same 12-month period.
Hamilton's future is a major talking point at the moment. He has expressed a desire to continue with Mercedes but has yet to sign a new contract, while Ferrari have reportedly prepared a £40m contract offer to tempt the seven-time world champion to join them.
That figure would be lower than the Brit's current salary, though the Scuderia could be willing to include bonuses or make an increased offer. And if that were the case, then Red Bull team adviser Marko believes it could lead to Hamilton making the switch.
"There are two things that really annoy Hamilton. Firstly, that he is no longer world champion and will find it difficult to become one again in the future," he told F1 Insider. "He knows there is no place for him at Red Bull. And whether Ferrari will be better for him in terms of sport than Mercedes is not set in stone.
"In addition to the sporting perspective, Lewis is anything but happy that he is no longer the highest-earning driver in Formula 1. This is Max Verstappen now. At least that he could change with Ferrari's help."
Regardless of whether Hamilton renews his contract, Mercedes know they will have to somehow replace the seven-time world champion sooner or later. Fortunately, the team feels it has already secured the next man to lead the team into the future.
Gwen Lagrue, chief of the Mercedes driver development programme, is confident that George Russell has already shown the skills needed to step up when Hamilton eventually leaves. "You always know that when you have the car to win, not before," he told French publication AutoHebdo.
"Nevertheless, what I have observed is that each time [Russell] has had a window of opportunity, he has managed to do something transformative. That's very reassuring. If we are able to give him the car, he will do the right thing. If the question is, 'Do we see in George a successor to Lewis to win races and fight for a title?' The answer is clear – yes."
