F1 News
Conflict is a 'golden opportunity' for Wolff: 'Blank cheque for Verstappen'
- Ludo van Denderen
Toto Wolff is in no hurry. Not at all. The Mercedes team boss heard shortly before the '24 season that Lewis Hamilton is moving to Ferrari next season, but the Austrian has no plans to contract a replacement anytime soon. No doubt this is partly prompted by Max Verstappen's situation at Red Bull Racing.
Indeed, it is far from out of the question that Verstappen might decide to seek refuge elsewhere, especially if Helmut Marko is sidelined by the Austrian racing stable at some point. If Christian Horner stays on, that could also be a trigger for Verstappen to move. Where to go. Mercedes is the most logical choice, even though the German racing stable's car is currently not competitive enough to compete for wins.
Albers sees Wolff targeting Verstappen
Christijan Albers, former F1 driver and current analyst, sees "a great opportunity" for Wolff and his Mercedes team. "He [Max] has that clause in his contract. If Helmut leaves, then he can get out from under his contract. Then, of course, Mercedes is ready with a blank cheque. They obviously want to go all out to bring him in," Albers said.
Even if Verstappen is in a Mercedes, he expects championship chances for the Dutchman. "I don't see a Perez, for example, becoming world champion just like that. I think the gap is still quite big between those two (between Verstappen and Perez, ed.), and especially on race pace. Qualifying too. And at some point you get to circuits where you can't overtake so easily."