Toto Wolff has certainly not given up hope: The Austrian Mercedes team boss believes he still has a serious chance of contracting Max Verstappen for 2025 and beyond. That sounds illogical, given that Verstappen is currently in by far the fastest team at Red Bull. Yet Wolff argues that other factors are also at play, and here he seems to be referring to the new engine regulations.
Indeed, it is an open secret that Red Bull Racing is behind in the development of the Red Bull Powertrains, with which the team will launch in '26. So a switch to Mercedes might bring little for Verstappen in the short term - in 2025 - but all the more for the years after. Christian Horner was presented with what Wolff had said after the Chinese Grand Prix and initially reacted with surprise.
"Who, Toto has? When did he say that? Just Now?", said the Briton. Only to respond with: "Let's put it that way. Well, I'm going to think carefully what I say here. Look, I think, have you spoken to Max about this? Because if you speak to Max, and certainly, his…, and it's not about pieces of paper at the end of the day. We know that he has a contract at the end of 2028. It's about how he feels in the team and the relationship he has in the team and the way he's performing. And I don't think Toto's problems are resolved as drivers. I think he's probably got other elements that he needs to be focusing on rather than focusing on drivers that are unavailable.."
'Wolff wants to cause unrest within Red Bull
According to Horner, Verstappen has expressed his desire to stay at Red Bull on several occasions, only to bite his tongue about Wolff: "Well, I think, I don't know how many more times he needs to say it. So, he's said it numerous times. I mean, he's, look, I'm not going to get drawn into it. I think sometimes it's just designed to create noise. I think he's moved today ahead of the amount of races that Mercedes have won in the modern era. So, the team's in form. Why on earth would you want to leave this team? You know, Mercedes are the third team behind their customers at the moment. So, I would think his time would be better spent perhaps focusing on the team rather than the driver market."
"Indeed, it is an open secret that Red Bull Racing is behind in the development of the Red Bull Powertrains" Is it though?
I think what they mean is they hope this is true, not the "reporter invented" fantasy no one has has any proof of whatsoever.
I don t know why Horner is so angry about Wolff s remarks Verstappen because in the end only Verstappen will decide what will do at the end of next year..I remember that Horner has played the same game when he reveal the fact that Hamilton has been in talks with RBR..
Did you miss Verstappen stating openly he has no intention of leaving Red Bull to join Mercedes before the end of 2026. It shows what a snake Wolff is.
When Toto finally wakes up, he will find that Carlos has slipped through his fingers!
Toto living in a,dream he wont get max .why max wamt to go to a team thats not winning time toto .to wake up big time
Carlos is better off building up Audi than joining that sh1t show as a seat warmer for Antonelli.
One just doesn't know though. With the new regs coming in 26, merc may just be top dog again. It's all a bit of a lottery!
True but what we do know us that if Carlos goes to Mercedes it won’t be for more than a year, maybe 2 with a stretch, and then again be looking for a drive, undeservedly so.
That remains very much to be seen, Audi wants to be a top-team it's not a given that come 26'' they would be one, given there current performance they have a lot of work to do.
I agree with you. I didn't say what I said thinking Audi will be a top team from the get go, hence why I used the expression "build up Audi". I'm saying that, even though Audi will not be a top team in 2026, Carlos is better off going there and start building them up, as they'll be more willing to offer him a longterm contract, than going to Mercedes, who have their own issues and also aren't a given to be a top team in 2026, only as a seat warmer for Antonelli, meaning that Toto wants Antonelli in that seat and whoever else joins before him will be very temporary since Russell won't leave either.
yeah i'm not to sure about that, yes the reason you state are very much true, however there is also his age, there not all Alonso or Hamilton so i think going to a teams waiting for them to might be a top team is a huge gamble to take whilst if he moves to Mercedes and performes similarly as now he would still be hot property if he was do to be needing to leave in a few years which as added bonus that is is more clear how the new pecking order would be with the 26'' regulations. Downsides too, if red Bull disappoints Max might as well be looking for a new seat.
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