The 52-year-old driver finds himself in a challenging situation as he tries to fill the void left by Lewis Hamilton, who will leave the team next year. José Verstappen, Max Verstappen, and Toto Wolff emerged victorious in the first race of the season, establishing a significant advantage over their competitors. The Verstappen family and the Dutch driver have a history of over ten years together. However, amidst the current internal conflicts within the team, Wolff was seen talking to Verstappen at the Bahrain GP. In response to speculations surrounding their conversation, the Austrian commented on his relationship with the reigning champion.
The reigning champions are currently dealing with internal power struggles, raising doubts about who will continue as team boss in Milton Keynes. This instability within the team may attract Verstappen to join another team as early as next season. After the race, Verstappen’s father and Wolff seemed to be engaged in a discussion, potentially with the goal of bringing the talented Dutch driver to Brackley.
When asked about the possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes, Wolff replied, “Everything is possible,” as reported by Express. This statement came after reports that Jos Verstappen had suggested that the Red Bull team could… [remaining text removed]
Wolff appeared optimistic after talking to the 51-year-old Verstappen. As a result, the possibility of Verstappen joining the Mercedes team as early as 2025 is being considered. Despite being under contract with the Austrian team until 2028, Verstappen had previously revealed the existence of a break clause that would allow him to leave the team earlier if he wished.
Wolff holds a position of authority at Mercedes and has already led the team to great success. However, the Bahrain race was one to forget, as both drivers finished in fifth and seventh places, repeating their performance from the first race of the previous season. Wolff shared his assessment of the team’s performance after the race.
Expressing his disappointment, Wolff acknowledged the considerable distance the team had from the front pack. Additionally, the Mercedes engines were running hotter than expected, requiring orders for both drivers to ease off the throttle throughout the race to manage the issue.
Faced with these challenges, the team will be focused on resolving the persistent issues experienced in Bahrain. They will also be preparing for the upcoming Saudi Arabian GP, aiming to reverse their fortunes after a disappointing race last weekend.
