I’d love for Max Verstappen to join Mercedes, says Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff has said he would “love” for Max Verstappen to join Mercedes next year, but suspects his team's car is not competitive enough to lure the reigning champion away from Red Bull.

Despite winning the first two rounds of the 2024 season, Verstappen has been linked with a move away from Red Bull due to a series of controversies and divisions within the team.

Amid suggestions this week that close ally Helmut Marko could be suspended, Verstappen suggested his own presence at Red Bull depends on the 80-year-old remaining in his job.

With Lewis Hamilton set to move from Mercedes to Ferrari at the end of this season, Wolff said he would happily offer Verstappen a seat in 2025, but suspects the current Mercedes car is not competitive enough to tempt him to move.

“Let's put it this way, I think it's a decision that Max has to make, but there's no team on the grid that wouldn't do a handstand to have him in the car,” Wolff said.

“I would love to have it, but first we have to sort out our car. First of all, we owe it to George. [Russell] and Lewis to improve the car and provide them with good equipment before dreaming of the future next year. »

Wolff suspects Verstappen, his father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen will ultimately be won over by Red Bull's dominant performance.

“As I said before, a driver will always try to be in the fastest car possible,” he added. “It gives you the best chance of winning races and championships and that’s where Max is at the moment.

“But so is Max… Jos, Max and Raymond are also very heterosexual people, sometimes uncomfortably heterosexual, and I think that's something they'll make their decision about.” [on]. But I think fundamentally a racing driver is calibrated to drive the best car. »