F1 News
Wolff dodges question on Verstappen after Antonelli announcement
- Estéban den Toom
Andrea Kimi Antonelli will drive in Formula 1 for the Mercedes team next season. Team principal Toto Wolff needed to find a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who will race at Ferrari next season. When asked what the Austrian would do if Max Verstappen suddenly knocked on the door, the team principal responded cryptically, or rather, he avoided the question.
There has been much talk of Verstappen switching to Mercedes this season. Before the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, however, it became clear that the Red Bull driver will simply continue to drive for the Austrian constructor in 2025, despite several attempts by Wolff and Mercedes, which had yet to fill the seat next to George Russell.
Wolff gets question about Verstappen
When Wolff was asked a question about Verstappen during a press event, where GPblog was also present, he dodged it. The question was what Wolff would do if Verstappen suddenly did knock on Mercedes' door. "What I appreciate also in dealing with them is just very straightforward and transparent. And I don't flirt outside," Wolff said.
"I always say that I got maybe caught out by the Lewis situation, not entertained any discussions with any drivers, when giving it all from the team to make it a success. And this is why all of our focus in the team is on George and Kimi. And that's what I also said. There's no discussion. There's no second thoughts about what we're doing in 2026. Because now it's about 2024 and 2025," the team boss added.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
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