In light of Verstappen’s uncertain future at Red Bull, Wolff asserts that “the trigger for him maybe thinking about other options is because they have some wobbles going through their team.” Watch qualifying at 5 a.m. on Saturday and the race at 4 a.m. on Sunday, live on Sky Sports F1.
In the midst of “some wobbles going through” Red Bull, Toto Wolff says Mercedes would give Max Verstappen “time” to decide on his Formula 1 future.
In the midst of the ongoing turmoil surrounding Formula One’s reigning champions, caused by the investigation into Christian Horner, which led to the dismissal of a female colleague’s grievance against the team principal, Verstappen’s future at Red Bull has been a subject of conjecture. This is true even though the Dutchman currently dominates the sport and his contract with them is supposedly valid until the end of the 2028 season.
If he moved before then, Mercedes has been the most strongly suggested landing destination for the triple champion because they had a seat available as early as next year, following Lewis Hamilton’s shocking decision for Ferrari in February that would have affected the entire sport.
When Karun Chandhok of Sky Sports F1 asked Verstappen if he would be driving for his team the following season, Wolff, the manager of the Mercedes team, answered, “If I would know…
“A driver will always look at the fact that Max is driving the fastest car at the end of the race.
“He’s in a fantastic place in his career and then it will be a decision that is up to him to say, ‘is it an environment that I’d like to change and if yes, where do I want to go?'”
Wolff was then questioned about whether Verstappen’s future plans could also include the 2026 season and the possibility of a major rule change and overhaul for the sport that will see Red Bull develop their own power unit for the first time against Mercedes and other established engine manufacturers.
Verstappen himself underlined at the Australian GP on Thursday that it was his “intention” to finish out his long-term deal at Red Bull, striking a more consoling tone about his future there than at the previous race in Saudi Arabia.
“In the end, it comes down to performance. It’s as though I wouldn’t be seated here if I didn’t perform. I am aware of how that operates. I definitely intend to stay here to the very end with the deal (my contract) in place since it would make for an amazing story,” he stated.
“For me personally, also, to just see it out to the end because it almost basically means that I’ve been part of one family and team.”
However, he did accept Wolff’s public declaration of interest, having stated before the most recent race in Saudi Arabia that he “would love” to have the triple champion at Mercedes the following season.
It has no bearing whatsoever on what I would do. When asked if Wolff’s remarks have an impact on him, Verstappen replied, “It’s always good to hear that.”
“Toto and I had our moments, but that’s typical when two teams are fighting for the title. However, respect has always existed. In my opinion, nothing is altered.”
When asked if he would ever race for Mercedes, Verstappen replied, “I’m not sure. I have no idea what will occur after 2028. I’m not sure if I’ll sign a new contract, carry on, or remain in Formula One. I’m not aware of that.
Regarding Susie Wolff’s lawsuit, Toto said: “It’s important that issues are not ignored.”
For the first time, Wolff also made public his wife Susie Wolff’s decision to bring a criminal complaint against Formula 1’s regulatory body, the FIA. Susie Wolff is the head of the F1 Academy.
On Wednesday, Susie Wolff made public that she had filed a case in French courts following the FIA’s beginning of an inquiry, which was subsequently halted in December 2023 due to an alleged violation of confidence.
The investigation began when a Business F1 magazine article stated that other team principals were worried Mercedes team manager Toto Wolff was gaining access to information shared by his wife, who manages the all-female F1 Academy series and answers directly to F1 chief Stefano Domenicali.
“To start with, Susie is a powerful woman. Her spouse, Toto, stated, “She has always stood by her beliefs and principles and doesn’t take anything from anyone. This is the situation here.
She approaches it pragmatistically and without emotion. Nothing will change her opinion that something was wrong and that the court needs to know it. She has that kind of character.
However, there is also the circumstance and reality that, as Lewis mentioned, we have been discussing instances of transparency and other unsatisfactory aspects for the entire year.
“We should talk about the greatest of the sport where we are and not the other stuff, but it needs to be pointed to.”
Toto answered, “I think Susie just started that process many months ago, had done it very diligently, as far as I am concerned, and will go all the way,” when asked what Susie intended to happen in the case.
“I believe that finding out what happened, having individuals take responsibility, and making sure that issues are not ignored are what I believe are most important to her.
“In my opinion, it is imperative that we, as a sport, take that action in all instances, be it Susie’s situation or one involving other teams. Overall, I believe that this sport has such a large following, that we are succeeding, and that occasionally we may need to move it outside the boundaries of our sport and into the real world and see what it dose.
