In reported turmoil within the Red Bull camp, speculation mounts regarding Max Verstappen’s potential switch to Mercedes, a situation under scrutiny by Toto Wolff.
Mercedes’ team principal, Toto Wolff, has implied that Red Bull’s impressive race-winning performance alone may not suffice to retain Max Verstappen’s allegiance.
Rumors of internal strife within Red Bull and purported power struggles have sparked talks of Verstappen seeking an exit from the team, despite being under contract until 2028.
Earlier, Wolff had expressed his eagerness to secure the services of the three-time world champion as he seeks to fill the void left by Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari next season.
Verstappen is currently enjoying a remarkable stint in Formula 1, having clinched titles in 2022 and 2023, followed by securing four race victories in the initial five rounds of the ongoing season.
However, Wolff has hinted at additional factors that might influence Verstappen’s decision regarding his future.
“There are so many factors that play a role in a driver joining,” Wolff stated. “Clearly when you look at it from the most rational point of view, you can say ‘That’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver’.
“But I don’t think this is the only reason you stay where you are. Let’s say [for] simple minds, that might be the only reason why you stay in a car and that’s it. But maybe there are more depths for some people that consider other factors too. I think that Max has that.”
Wolff emphasized that Mercedes does not need to actively persuade Verstappen to join their team.
“In that respect, are we able to convince him? I don’t think it’s a matter of convincing. I think that Max knows motor racing better than anyone, he will take decisions that he feels are good for him.
“I think a few factors play a role, but he’s the one that is the one that’s going to trigger some more domino stones to fall in afterward. Everybody’s waiting for what he’s going to do.
“If I was Max I would stay at Red Bull in 2025 – but I’m not Max. It is the quickest car but there are still other factors.”
When questioned about the possibility of signing Verstappen for 2025, Wolff responded, “If I say this, I might mess up my entire strategy.”
