There are speculations about the possibility of the 26-year-old Dutch driver leaving the current championship-winning team. These speculations arose earlier this year after allegations were made against the team principal, Christian Horner, for misconduct towards a staff member. However, Horner was later cleared of these accusations, although they fueled rumors of divisions within the team.
Mercedes, a former F1 champion, currently has a vacant seat in their team as the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025.
According to Wolff, there are numerous factors that influence a driver’s decision when considering joining a team. While it can be argued that the fastest car in the hands of the fastest driver is the most rational choice, Wolff believes there may be other factors to consider. He believes that Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver in question, takes these other factors into account.
Red Bull had an exceptional season last year, winning 21 out of 22 races with the most dominant car in the sport’s history. Verstappen, the team’s star driver, won Sunday’s race in Shanghai from pole position, marking his fourth victory in five races this year.
Wolff revealed that Mercedes has had discussions with several drivers regarding the vacant race seat for next year. However, he clarified that they have not yet reached a point where they have discussed long-term plans with Verstappen.
Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull, praised Verstappen’s driving skills, describing him as a man who drives “on another planet” after the Chinese Grand Prix. Horner also emphasized that Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, dismissing Wolff’s comments.
Horner believes that Wolff has other issues to worry about instead of pursuing unavailable drivers. He does not think that Mercedes’ problems are related to their drivers.
Wolff expressed his belief that Mercedes will become an even more attractive option from 2026, when new chassis and engine regulations will be implemented. He stated that if he were Max Verstappen, he would stay at Red Bull in 2025 due to the team’s fast car, but acknowledged that there are other factors to consider.
In conclusion, the future of Max Verstappen’s racing career remains uncertain, with several teams vying for his talents. Both Mercedes and Red Bull present compelling arguments for Verstappen’s consideration, and only time will tell which team he will choose in the end.
