Chief of the Mercedes Formula 1 team, Toto Wolff has intensified his public pursuit of Max Verstappen by expressing his desire for the world champion to join George Russell next season, should Verstappen be available. Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, but speculation about his future has arisen due to the ongoing drama at his current team. A dispute between Verstappen’s father and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, as well as Verstappen’s implication that changes in team management could affect his future, have fueled the rumors. In response, Wolff has repeatedly expressed his team’s interest in Verstappen, with whom they battled intensely in 2021.
Mercedes will have a vacant seat alongside Russell, as Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2024. There are several contenders for the position, from 17-year-old Formula 2 rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli to two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. Wolff also mentioned Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz as a potential option. In an interview with Fox Sports Australia at the Australian Grand Prix, Wolff made bold statements about Verstappen’s possible move to Mercedes, stating that they have a seat available and that Verstappen is their top choice. However, Wolff acknowledged that other drivers are also being considered and emphasized the importance of finding a driver who can contribute to the team’s success.
Although Mercedes may wish to sign Verstappen, they will need to make a compelling case to convince him to leave Red Bull. In addition to internal conflicts within Red Bull, there is a competitive argument for Verstappen to consider. Red Bull will lose their current engine partner, Honda, in 2025, and will develop their own engine for 2026. This poses a significant challenge for Red Bull, especially with the engine formula change. In contrast, Mercedes has experience and success in the hybrid era and may potentially regain their dominance with the upcoming rules in 2026.
Wolff acknowledged that hiring Verstappen would require a significant leap in performance. Mercedes would need to provide him with a fast car, but also one that is challenging to drive. Despite this, Wolff remains confident in his ability to convince Verstappen. A decision on the driver lineup is expected to be made around summertime.
In addition to Verstappen, Mercedes already has Antonelli in their team, Alonso has not yet made a decision about his future, and Sainz is currently without a contract. This gives Mercedes the luxury of waiting to see if the opportunity to sign Verstappen actually materializes. If Verstappen joins Mercedes, it will mark a significant moment in their relationship, as they tried to sign him in 2014 when he was a teenage rookie in car racing. However, Red Bull secured his signature by offering him a seat at Toro Rosso F1 for 2015.
Wolff acknowledges that the timing of a potential partnership with Verstappen is crucial, but remains uncertain about when this will happen.
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