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Mercedes Keep Communication Open with Verstappen for Potential Future Move, Says Toto Wolff

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that he maintains an “open communication channel” with Max Verstappen about a potential future move to the Silver Arrows, despite the Red Bull driver being under contract until the end of 2028. While Wolff acknowledges that Verstappen won’t be joining Mercedes next season, he has kept the door open for possible future discussions.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Wolff disclosed that he had talks earlier this year with Verstappen and his management team about a potential move to Mercedes. Wolff admitted that it was a “long shot,” but felt the discussions were worth pursuing, especially in light of the turmoil at Red Bull, following allegations of sexual harassment and coercive behavior against team principal Christian Horner by a female employee. Although Horner has been cleared by two internal investigations, the relationships within the Red Bull team have reportedly been strained.

“Red Bull was the dominant car at the beginning of the season,” Wolff stated. “And that changed a bit. It’s Max Verstappen dominant at the moment. And the relationships were dysfunctional. I’m not sure they are back in a great place, but it is what it is. There was a moment, or there was an opportunity, to at least have conversations about what it could be in the future, and this is what we did.”

Despite these discussions, Wolff admits that signing Verstappen for 2024 was unlikely, especially given his long-term contract with Red Bull. However, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes in the future. Verstappen himself has acknowledged his good relationship with Wolff, stating at the Dutch Grand Prix that he “gets on very well with Toto – he’s very open about what’s happening within his team.” Verstappen also mentioned that there was “nothing wrong” with Wolff publicly expressing interest in him.

When asked about the possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes in 2026, Wolff remained non-committal, saying, “Much too early. For the benefit of our drivers next year, I don’t want to have any conversation about 2026 or beyond, because we very much hope that the 2025 line-up will be the line-up going forward.” Wolff also confirmed that he and the Verstappens had not set any specific timelines for future talks but agreed to keep communication lines open.

With the acceptance that Verstappen will not be joining Mercedes next season, Wolff has shifted his focus to a backup plan for the team’s driver lineup. Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli is now expected to step up to partner George Russell, following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. Antonelli, who has just turned 18 and is currently competing in his first season in Formula 2, has been part of the Mercedes young driver program since he was 11. He has already won two races in Formula 2 and has been extensively testing older Mercedes cars to prepare for his Formula 1 debut.

Antonelli is set to make his race weekend debut by driving in first practice at the Italian Grand Prix, further fueling speculation that he will be promoted to the Mercedes Formula 1 team in 2025. Wolff hinted that keeping Antonelli out of Formula 1 for another year might not be the right move, saying, “When such talent comes up, it’s not right either to park someone or place someone with another team. With George, it was probably a year too long with Williams. But then also, we didn’t really have any space before.”

While Wolff stopped short of confirming Antonelli’s promotion for 2025, his comments indicate that Mercedes is moving in that direction. As the team prepares for the post-Hamilton era, it seems increasingly likely that Antonelli will be the one to take up the mantle alongside Russell.