F1 News
Wolff no longer sees Verstappen as a possible reinforcement for Mercedes
- GPblog.com
It is still summer break in Formula 1, and every year that means a tsunami of rumours and gossip about the famous silly season. This year, Mercedes are participating in the rumour mill, as the team still haven't confirmed who will drive next to Lewis Hamilton in 2022. George Russell or Valtteri Bottas? Or has team principal Toto Wolff even considered other drivers?
At home at Red Bull
Before the start of this season it was no secret that the lines of communication between Wolff and the Verstappen family were very small. The Mercedes team boss was charmed by the young Dutchman, but Max Verstappen was committed to Red Bull Racing. Wolff repeatedly said he would consider the Dutchman if a seat became available at the successful team.
Of course, after everything that has happened this season, that remains to be seen. In any case, Wolff thinks Verstappen is fine at Red Bull, and so he says in conversation with Soymotor.com: "I think Verstappen and his entourage are very happy with the position they are in. Red Bull is their team and their home, so why not keep it that way? I think we have our plans with our drivers, Ferrari has a great line-up, Lando Norris at McLaren seems pretty settled, so I think the trajectory is set."
Decision still in summer break
Although Mercedes has not yet made a decision, Wolff gives the impression that they are only looking within their own ranks for a driver for 2022: "We are not looking for a driver." The Mercedes team boss is still hinting at the summer break to tie the knot: "We want to make the decision in the summer break. There are different opinions within the team and the Daimler management. We just have to get together and say, 'Okay, what do we think?'"