Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff emphasizes that he would do a handstand to bring Max Verstappen to the team. The Austrian previously stated that he would very much like to bring the Dutchman to Mercedes, but that he would also have to ensure that the three-time world champion has the fastest car at his disposal. However, the decision is up to Verstappen and co.
Now that there is thunder and lightning within Red Bull Racing, the door to Mercedes is suddenly ajar. Given the departure of Lewis Hamilton, a seat will become available at the German racing team in 2025. A while ago, Red Bull top advisor Helmut Marko stated that Verstappen would absolutely not leave for Mercedes because he would still know very well what happened in 2021. For the Dutch, however, that is already a thing of the past. Moreover, things are not going entirely smoothly behind the scenes at Red Bull. The unrest could be a reason to leave.
On Friday evening, the paddock was captivated by Marko’s possible suspension, after which Verstappen responded crystal clear: if Marko leaves, he is also seen. However, on Saturday the Austrian announced that he will stay for a while. Wolff watches in the meantime, and seems to wait until he can strike. “I would really like to have him,” says Wolff, quoted by De Telegraaf. ‘But it’s up to Max to make the decision. There isn’t a team on the grid that wouldn’t do a handstand to put him in the car. We must first ensure that we get more out of our car. That’s a liability to George and Lewis. Then we can dream about the future.’
Text continues below the photo.
‘Max, Jos and Raymond are sometimes uncomfortably straightforward’
Wolff has previously explained that he is in no hurry to appoint a new driver. After all, the Silver Arrows still have another season for that, and there are several candidates in line. ‘As I have already said, the driver will always want to be in the fastest car possible. Max is now in that position at Red Bull,” says the Austrian. ‘Max, his father Jos and manager Raymond are always honest, and sometimes uncomfortably straightforward. They will continue to be, and they will have to make a decision.”
Verstappen indicated prior to the weekend in Jeddah that there was little chance that he would leave for the German racing stable, but he was a little more vague when he was asked questions during the race weekend. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner announced that he expects Verstappen to serve out his contract with Red Bull until 2028. After winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the three-time world champion said that he would like to see calm return to Red Bull.
