Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff is eager to entice Max Verstappen to join the Mercedes Formula 1 team. Despite acknowledging that this move won’t happen until 2025, Wolff believes that Mercedes could be an appealing option for Verstappen. While the Mercedes CEO has recently increased their pursuit of Verstappen, the Dutch driver has confirmed that he will stay with Red Bull for the upcoming season. Although the competition has become tighter this year, Verstappen’s RB20 car has maintained its superiority, with Verstappen currently holding an 81-point lead. However, Wolff is optimistic about the future, particularly in 2026 when new technical regulations will be introduced.
He hopes that these changes will make Mercedes an attractive destination for Verstappen. Wolff expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating, “There are three teams competing against each other, and hopefully, we can show that we are part of this group now too. So maybe there’s an opportunity in the future, but 2026 is the main year where things change.” Wolff also admitted that he is unsure about the details of Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull and his ties to advisor Helmut Marko. Nevertheless, he remains focused on making Mercedes a competitive team that will appeal to top drivers.
On the other hand, Red Bull boss Christian Horner and Marko have both emphasized their commitment to keeping Verstappen on their team as long as he is satisfied and provided with a competitive car. Marko believes that Wolff’s pursuit of Verstappen is simply a wish and that there is no reason for Verstappen to leave Red Bull as long as the team meets his expectations.
