Max Verstappen: Toto Wolff Does Not Rule Out Meeting with Red Bull Driver Because of F1 Switch to Mercedes

Toto Wolff has not ruled out holding a meeting with Max Verstappen to discuss the possibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

Wolff has been talking up Verstappen since the start of the season, stating that “no team boss would do handstands” to sign the Dutchman and that he is “waiting” to see how the driver market develops.

Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season and insists he intends to stay with the team “for now”.

After the Miami Grand Prix, Wolff denied that a meeting with Verstappen’s representatives was planned on Monday, but refused to decline further talks this month.

“There are always a lot of meetings. I can’t say anything about the second driver.” [at Mercedes]” said Wolff.

“I think we talked about the possibilities. I want to be fair to these guys and not give the impression that we’re playing chess with people, because we’re not.”

“I think we want to take our time, see where Max is thinking and at the same time watch the other drivers. “Carlos.” [Sainz] was very strong again in Miami and that’s why we’re a bit in observation mode at the moment.”

Verstappen, who finished second to Lando Norris in Miami, has always made it clear that he wants to be in the fastest car and in the “right environment”.

The most crucial factor in the 26-year-old’s F1 future appears to be which team he believes will be best placed when the new regulations come into effect for 2026, as the pecking order will almost certainly change.

Wolff believes that Verstappen is the key figure in this year’s driver market for all teams.

“Like I said, if I were him I wouldn’t go, at least not for 2025. But it’s all in his hands… he’s the leading driver, he’s the leader at the moment and so it’s up to him to take this on “take decisions,” Wolff added.

“Maybe there are no decisions to be made, maybe everything will continue as it is, but that is also an orientation for us.”

Wolff: Mercedes sees more Red Bull CVs at all levels

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull confirmed that Adrian Newey is stepping down from his role as technical director of the Formula 1 team with immediate effect and will work on other projects before being allowed to leave in early 2025.

It was widely reported that Newey’s decision to leave the team was influenced by a cooling in his relationship with Horner, with public feuds at the top of the team further disillusioning the 65-year-old. Horner has denied the claims.

Horner insisted he wasn’t expecting an exodus following Newey’s departure, but McLaren boss Zak Brown claims his team has seen an “increase in CVs” from Red Bull employees, something Wolff also agreed with from a Mercedes perspective.

“Zak is absolutely right. We see Red Bull resumes at all levels. But I would say this is nothing out of the ordinary. People change teams and want to change the environment,” said Wolff.

“I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t really care what’s going on with the leadership anymore and I don’t listen to anything anymore. I think it’s important that we look at our team, develop the strong people and hopefully get some interesting people.” “Integrate competent people from other teams into Mercedes and enable an exciting journey to recovery.”

Horner was asked about Brown and Wolff’s comments and revealed that Red Bull has hired over 200 people from Mercedes to work on its new powerplant for 2026, which will be manufactured in-house in collaboration with Ford.

“The two candidates involved talk a lot. I won’t let myself get involved for nothing. I would focus more on Toto’s own problems that he has. I have no concerns about the strength and depth.” [of Red Bull]” said Horner.

“Of course there will always be movement between the teams. I don’t know how many people we employed at McLaren this year? Mercedes, we hired 220 people. 220 from HPP in Red Bull drives.”

“So when it comes to the loss of people, I’m more worried about the 220 people than I am about one or two resumes.”

Wolff hits back at Red Bull boss Mintzlaff

With Newey’s departure, Red Bull finds itself in a historically dominant streak: Verstappen is aiming for a fourth consecutive drivers’ title this year and the team is aiming for a third consecutive constructors’ title.

Wolff’s pursuit of Verstappen has apparently angered Red Bull, with Horner stating that Wolff’s time would “perhaps be better spent focusing on the team rather than the driver market.”

Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff criticized Wolff for his public statements about his interest in Verstappen.

“I understand the pressure that Toto Wolff and perhaps other teams are under after years of being behind,” Mintzlaff told the German Bild newspaper.

“But I think Wolff should concentrate on his own problems. He’s had enough of that. And there’s also something to do with respect when you constantly talk about other teams’ personalities. This is not appropriate.”

Wolff was asked about the comments and said: “I don’t know what this guy is commenting on. That has no relevance to me.”

Formula 1 heads to Europe as Imola returns to the calendar after last year’s canceled race. Watch the Emilia Romagna GP from May 17th to 19th. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership – no contract, cancel anytime

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