Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has dismissed speculation that Max Verstappen was ever a serious candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Hamilton’s announcement last year that he would be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari after the 2024 season sparked rumors of Verstappen being approached, but Wolff insists the team always planned to promote its rising star, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
“Never a plan to sign Verstappen,” says Wolff
Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, Wolff categorically denied that Verstappen was in contention. “There was never a plan [to sign Verstappen],” he said. Instead, Wolff revealed that the decision to promote Antonelli came almost immediately after Hamilton’s bombshell.
“I made up my mind five minutes after Lewis Hamilton told me he was going to Ferrari,” Wolff explained.
While Wolff admitted to maintaining communication with Verstappen, the Dutchman expressed his desire to remain at Red Bull for the time being. “He said that staying where he was felt right for him, and I said that going with Kimi felt right for us,” Wolff added.
Verstappen’s contract clause raises questions
Despite Verstappen’s current loyalty to Red Bull, his long-term future isn’t guaranteed. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s Team Principal, acknowledged that Verstappen’s contract includes a performance clause allowing him to leave if he’s not in the top three in the Drivers’ standings after a “significant” portion of the 2025 season.
Such a scenario could align with Mercedes’ plans, particularly as the sport braces for new engine regulations in 2026.
Mercedes eyeing the future
With Antonelli set to debut alongside George Russell in 2025, Mercedes has embraced a youth-driven approach. However, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius hinted that the team would welcome Verstappen if circumstances allowed.
“The best driver wants to have the best car,” Källenius told Sky Germany. “With the new 2026 rules, the cards will be reshuffled. Who knows? Max would look good in silver, wouldn’t he?”
Verstappen happy at Red Bull—for now
Responding to the speculation, Verstappen reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull, where he has enjoyed enormous success, including four Drivers’ Championships.
“It feels like a second family,” Verstappen told Viaplay. “You don’t just wake up and decide to leave. It’s a decision that has to be very carefully considered.”
A strategic decision for Mercedes
While Verstappen’s talent would undoubtedly be an asset, Wolff’s choice to invest in Antonelli signals a long-term vision for the team. As Mercedes prepares for the seismic rule changes in 2026, the decision to nurture a homegrown talent could shape the future of the Silver Arrows.
For now, Verstappen remains the face of Red Bull, but with the potential for dramatic shifts in the competitive landscape, the door for a future move to Mercedes might not be entirely closed.
