Toto Wolff asserts that Max Verstappen will not leave Red Bull to join Mercedes after this season. In a press conference, Wolff and Verstappen expressed that it will take some time for the Dutch driver to make the move to Mercedes. Despite Verstappen publicly expressing interest in Mercedes in recent weeks, Wolff believes he will stay with his current team for the 2025 season.
Wolff stated that Mercedes’ main goal is to convince Verstappen to join them in 2026. He explained that there is no incentive for Verstappen to consider joining Mercedes in 2025 because Red Bull currently has a dominant car. The RB20 is performing exceptionally well, to the point where the 26-year-old driver could potentially win every race going forward. Wolff concluded that as long as Red Bull maintains a faster pace than Mercedes, Verstappen will have no desire to switch teams. Recently, Wolff responded to Verstappen’s statements about staying with Red Bull.
The Austrian billionaire clarified that 2026 is the year when Formula 1 will undergo significant changes, and Mercedes may become the leading team. There is a strong possibility that Mercedes will attract high-level drivers in 2026. Verstappen is considered the top driver in this context, as Wolff believes it would be a favorable opportunity to bring someone of his caliber to the team. However, Wolff expressed uncertainty about Verstappen’s ability to break free from his existing contract with Red Bull.
During the qualifying session, Max Verstappen set the fastest lap and emerged victorious in the Sprint race over the weekend. The Mercedes team finished 8 seconds behind the Dutch driver, with their highest-placed car coming in fourth. Wolff praised Verstappen for his exceptional performance, stating that he was operating at a completely different level compared to the other drivers. The speed and skill of the 26-year-old driver were so remarkable that he left everyone else behind.
Wolff pointed out that George Russell, who finished in fourth place, was 12 km/h slower than Verstappen’s car. This speed difference makes it challenging for Mercedes to effectively compete with Red Bull. Wolff’s comment highlights the gap between Mercedes and Red Bull, underscoring the difficulty they face in keeping up with the speed and abilities of the three-time world champions.
Undoubtedly, Toto Wolff was very impressed with Max Verstappen’s performance in qualifying and the Sprint race. Judging by the difference between Verstappen and the chasing drivers, Wolff may already have an idea of who will be the winner in Sunday’s race. Fans are excited to witness the Dutch driver’s exceptional display in his home race at the Red Bull Ring.
