Mercedes are reportedly preparing to break the bank in an attempt to sign Max Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton's replacement.
The Silver Arrows are hoping to take advantage of Red Bull's internal chaos to lure the three-time world champion across the paddock.
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Red Bull have already confirmed the departure of design chief Adrian Newey at the end of the season after almost two decades in the role.
Verstappen is already currently the highest-paid driver in the world, with his £40million-a-year deal with Red Bull running until 2028.
However, according to Austrian outlet OE24 - the home country of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff - their rivals are tabling a whopping £128m-a-year package, including bonuses, to try and land the Dutchman.
The report also claims the Brackley-based outfit would look to tempt Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, a key Verstappen ally, away as well.
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A meeting between Mercedes and the 26-year-old could even take place at this weekend's Miami Grand Prix.
Wolff famously missed out on signing Verstappen as a teenager but has been desperate to amend the mistake following Hamilton's decision to leave for Ferrari in 2025.
Despite his dominant on-track success, Verstappen's future at Red Bull has been thrown into doubt in recent months.
Allegations of improper behaviour against Red Bull chief Christian Horner overshadowed the start of the new Formula 1 season.
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Horner, who has denied the allegations, was later cleared in an internal inquiry but Verstappen's father Jos still called for him to be sacked publicly, saying the ‘tension’ over the scandal could threaten to ‘tear the team apart’.
Verstappen Snr was later pictured having a meeting with Mercedes boss Wolff, who has since thrown fuel to the fire.
Doubts arose over whether Verstappen would leave Red Bull, where he is on course for his fourth straight title, for Mercedes, but Wolff suggested other factors could prove decisive.
Wolff said: "Clearly when you look at it from the most rational point of view, you can say, “Well that’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver”.
"But I don’t think that this is the only reason you stay where you are. For, let’s say, simple minds, that might be the only reason you stay in a car and that’s it.
"But maybe there is some more depth to some people that consider other factors too and I think Max has that depth."
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Verstappen has refused to shut down the reports either completely, but Hamilton warned him against making such a move in March.
“I think my move has shown that anything's possible,” he said. “There's going to be a really interesting next six months or so. I don't have an extra scoop.
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“I'm sure Max is on the list, but I'm pretty sure he's tied up, and also I couldn't see why you would leave the car that was that good.”
Hamilton was pressed on whether he was surprised his current team would be interested in Verstappen considering their former rivalry.
The pair delivered a title bout for the ages in 2021, going wheel-to-wheel on several occasions, and headed into the Abu Dhabi finale level on points.
Hamilton looked set to have edged that race for his eighth world title but an infamous late safety car call decided the Grand Prix in Verstappen’s favour for his maiden championship on the final lap.
On Mercedes' interest in Verstappen now, the Brit added: "I wouldn't say I'm surprised, because he's a great driver.
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“I think even we spoke back then. Max in that moment, he did what he had to do, it was nothing on him, it was the sport that let us down.
“And I think that wasn't his fault. Me, in his position, I would have done exactly the same thing. So there's no issues there.
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“I think if you run a team, you want to have the best driver, and you want to be the team that's got the driver that brings in the eyeballs, brings the sponsorships, and he is one of those.
“So I understand it, but it wouldn't make sense, I would say, for him. But it'll be interesting to see."