F1 News: Wolff On Signing Verstappen - "No Team That Wouldn't Do Handstands To Have Him"
Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff has expressed a keen interest in securing Max Verstappen for the team following Lewis Hamilton's exit in 2025. Wolff's remarks came in light of Verstappen hinting at a potential exit from Red Bull due to internal tensions.
Key Takeaways:
- Toto Wolff is eyeing Max Verstappen as a potential recruit for Mercedes, aiming to fill the gap Lewis Hamilton will leave.
- Verstappen's future at Red Bull remains uncertain amid internal rifts and controversies involving the team's leadership.
- Wolff emphasises the need for Mercedes to upgrade their car before considering any major team changes.
Mercedes Press Image
Amidst the whirlwind of rumours and tensions within the Red Bull camp, Wolff has openly stated his desire to bring three-time world champion Max Verstappen into the Mercedes fold, potentially as a successor to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. This revelation comes at a time when Verstappen has voiced concerns over the stability of his current team, particularly after a contentious period that saw Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, embroiled in controversy.
The speculation around Verstappen's future intensified after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying, where the driver did not shy away from hinting at a possible departure from Red Bull. This was amidst whispers of discord involving the influential figure of Helmut Marko within the team. However, Marko's subsequent assurance of his continued involvement with Red Bull after constructive discussions seems to have temporarily calmed the waters.
Red Bull Press Image
Despite these developments, Wolff's admittance of Mercedes' interest in Verstappen underlines the ongoing strategic moves within the F1 paddock. With Lewis Hamilton's impending departure to Ferrari in 2025, the quest for a worthy successor is paramount for Mercedes. Yet, Wolff maintains a pragmatic approach, emphasising the necessity of refining their vehicle to match the calibre of talents like Verstappen and Hamilton.
"I would love to have him [Verstappen]. But first we need to sort out our car. We owe it to our drivers George and Lewis to improve the car and give them equipment that is good before dreaming about the future next year.
"I think we are going to wait on a decision. We have a few interesting options. The more we are able to assess how the season pans out, young drivers, slightly older ones, that's not going to be a decision we want to take in the next few weeks, it's rather a few months depending on where it goes.”
When prodded about Verstappen being Mercedes' top choice to replace Hamilton, Wolff's response highlighted the allure of Verstappen to any team:
"This is a decision that Max needs to take and there is no team up and down the grid that wouldn't do handstands to have him in the car."