Mercedes might have already made contact with Max Verstappen in their search for a Lewis Hamilton rꦺeplacement, says Helmut Marko.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 means Mercedes are already busily considering how to replace the seven-time F1 champion🦂.

Ferrari’s Charles Lecle♉rc and McLaren’s Lando Norris are newly-contracted 🍷to their current teams while Verstappen is tied down long-term at Red Bull.

But Red Bull’s Marko was asked if Mercedes might try t𓂃o contact Verstappen.

“I would be surprised if they🏅 hadn't,” he replied to .

“But Max is a very loyal driver.”

Hamilton will spend one final൩ year at Mercedes, the team which has helped him achieve six of his seven championships.

Marko was asked what🔜 he expects from Hamilton this year, after a win-less two seasons.

“Lewis is an exceptional driver,” he replied.

“If they give him a car th🐻at is capable of winning [races] or even a World Championship, they will have to involve him until the end – and so just jump over their shadow.”

Toto Wolff has in꧒sisted that Mercedes have no concerns over Hamilton൲’s “integrity” in his final year before moving to a direct rival.

Red Bull, meanwhile, remain F1’s team to beat after just one 💃grand prix i⛎n 2024.

Verstappen cruised to victory in Saturday's Bahrain Gra🔯nd Prix, with Sergio Perez second.

Last year 🧸they won all-but-one grands prix - can they do it again?

“The🌜re are also route-specific parameters,” Marko insisted.

“If you don't get pole in Monaco or Singapore, it will be difficult🍃 to win.

“That's not our goal, of course we want to get close to this dream result, but th♔e competition has gotten closer.

“Our goal is the championship.”

The RB20 shocked much of the F1 pa﷽ddock when, despite the dominance of last year’s car, it was revealed with a brave new concept.

“With all our know-how, we were able to d🃏evelop a coဣncept that was more revolutionary than evolutionary,” Marko said.

“So we could go to extremes without risking i♊t bein♑g a flop.

“In addition, the꧃ word conservative simply does not exist in the minds of our technicians around Pierꦉre Wache and Adrian Newey - that is also part of Red Bull's DNA.

“Yes, we surprised everyone with this car, one look at the narrow side pods is 🔯enough.

“You can also see that the entire♉ field, ꦡlet's call it, was based on our car. So our package fits.”