Max Verstappen: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reveals summer time talks with Crimson Bull driver over 2025 seat

Toto Wolff has accepted Max Verstappen is not going to be becoming a member of Mercedes in 2025 however says he retains an curiosity in signing the Crimson Bull driver in 2026 following summer time talks with the Dutchman’s camp.

Mercedes workforce principal Wolff has publicly courted world champion Verstappen all through the primary half of the season following Lewis Hamilton’s determination to depart for Ferrari subsequent 12 months.

Because the season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, Wolff mentioned he held discussions with Verstappen’s supervisor Raymond Vermeulen and father Jos in the course of the summer time break.

“I assumed all by way of the 12 months that there was a window or that there was a chance. It wasn’t zero,” Wolff advised a gaggle of Dutch reporters in Zandvoort.

“It is fairly bumpy floor there nonetheless, and never just for efficiency causes, but in addition due to interpersonal points that we’re all conscious.

“By the best way, I obtained on with Jos for all my life. However possibly as a result of we’re a bit related. And that is why I assumed the door was by no means fully closed.

“What have been the chances of that taking place? Perhaps they have been 10 to 1. 9 to 1. Nonetheless, I did not wish to hand over, however then we collectively got here to the conclusion over the summer time that we should not be ready for one thing to occur earlier than committing for 2025, however let’s simply proceed our job, Max at Crimson Bull and right here at Mercedes taking our personal driver choices.

“And that was a form of a joint thought.”

Wolff drops main Antonelli trace

It might be inferred from Wolff’s feedback that Mercedes will now signal Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli to accomplice George Russell subsequent season.

There was rising hypothesis that Antonelli, who turns 18 on Sunday, will substitute Hamilton, and Wolff solely fuelled that on Friday as he momentarily talked about Russell and the Italian as his line-up for 2025.

“Quickly, we are going to verify who’s within the second seat. And what I additionally mentioned is that the 2 drivers which can be within the automotive have our full assist, 100 per cent,” Wolff mentioned.

“And subsequently, I am getting into the season in 2025 with two drivers that we are going to be given all the chance to carry out.

“And that is why I do not wish to speak concerning the 2026 driver line-up at that stage as a result of I wish to make it work with George and Kimi.”

Wolff has ‘feeling’ Verstappen and Mercedes’ paths will cross

Verstappen has a contract with Crimson Bull till the tip of the 2028 season however each driver and workforce principal Christian Horner have made feedback this 12 months hinting that an earlier departure is feasible.

Crimson Bull have dominated for the reason that sport’s design rules modified in 2022, however Mercedes are assured of returning to successful methods beneath the following set of recent guidelines which can be coming in for the 2026 season.

Whereas respecting Russell and his hypothetical 2025 team-mate Antonelli, Wolff made it clear he needs to maintain the choice open to signal Verstappen sooner or later.

“What I like with Max, Raymond and Jos is that we speak straight. We needn’t push one another. We’ve got been on this too lengthy; we have taken the choice for drivers for subsequent 12 months. That is what our full effort goes into,” he added.

“Hopefully that is going to be the line-up for 2026 and past. However that does not shut the door on Max being with us in 2026 or past, as a result of we wish to nonetheless maintain all of the choices open in the identical means he does. So what I loved in our conversations is there may be by no means a hidden agenda.

“In some way I’ve that feeling [that Mercedes and Verstappen’s paths will cross]. However I do not know when that might be. Whether or not it is ’26, whether or not it is three years’ later, I do not know but.”

Horner: Max was by no means obtainable to Mercedes

Chatting with Sky Sports activities Information earlier on Friday, Horner insisted Verstappen had by no means been “obtainable” to Mercedes for subsequent season.

“The scenario has been, as we have been stating all by way of the 12 months, that we all know what our settlement is with Max, Max is aware of what his settlement with us is and he is definitely not obtainable to Mercedes for 2025,” Horner mentioned.

“He by no means was. So I am positive no matter choices they select to take, they’ve thought rigorously about.”

Horner, who promoted Verstappen to Crimson Bull’s senior workforce on the age of 18, mentioned he could be prepared to credit score his rival Wolff if he have been to go along with Antonelli.

He added: “In the event that they select to offer Antonelli the seat then you have to commend them for taking a danger with a teenager.”

Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Dutch GP schedule

Saturday August 24
10.15am: Dutch GP Follow Three (session begins 10.30am)
1pm: Dutch GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: DUTCH GP QUALIFYING
4pm: F1 Academy: Race One

Sunday August 25
9.40am: F1 Academy: Race Two
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up
2pm: The DUTCH GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP response

Components 1 returns after the summer time break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime.

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