Toto Wolff has constantly indicated that he wants to wait for Max Verstappen when it comes to succeeding Lewis Hamilton. But in doing so, Wolff risks losing creating a dangerous situation.
“We have a slot free, the only one in the top teams – unless Max decides he goes. Then the slot is not going to be free with us anymore. That’s not going to happen in the next few weeks or months or so… I want to continue to monitor the market.”
Voicing his interest in Max Verstappen, Toto Wolff made it clear that he is keen to see the Dutchman join Mercedes in the near future.
A vacancy has arisen at the Brackley-based squad amid Lewis Hamilton’s shock decision earlier this year to depart Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025.
It has left Wolff with a problem. Who is suitable to fill the seat of a seven-time world champion from 2025 and help the struggling Mercedes return to success?
There are plenty of candidates, although Wolff is undoubtedly aiming his sights at Verstappen. The Dutchman is tied up with Red Bull until 2028, but is still being linked to Mercedes amid rumblings of intra-team turmoil within the energy drink team.
Verstappen linked his future to Helmut Marko when it became apparent that the Red Bull advisor might be suspended, sparking rumours of a potential exit for Verstappen.
Wolff also cleverly played on this by speaking highly of Verstappen and indicating that he would welcome the three-time world champion with open arms.
