Verstappen's Potential Move To Mercedes Addressed By Wolff

Wednesday, 06 March 2024 at 15:03

Updated at Wednesday, 06 March 2024 at 19:18

The team principal of Mercedes, Toto Wolff, responded to the rumors about Max Verstappen potentially taking the second seat in Mercedes in 2025.

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferarri caused his Toto Wolff a bit of a headache as it came at an unexpected time for the team principal of the Mercedes F1 team.

So far, it has been suggested that Wolff was considering either Fernando Alonso or Mercedes's academy driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

However, following talks between Toto Wolff and Jos Verstappen a few days ago, rumors started spreading, suggesting that the triple World Champion might want to leave Red Bull and be interested in the Mercedes seat.

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Sky Italy approached Toto Wolff at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to comment on the possibility of Verstappen's move to Mercedes, and he responded:

"The market is very interesting. For a driver the most important thing is to stay with those who are faster and there is no reason for Max to leave Red Bull any time soon... But we'll see what it will happen.."

Why would Verstappen go to Mercedes?

Why would the 26-year-old leave Red Bull? It wouldn't make sense from the perspective of the car's performance. But, F1 Insider wrote that Christian Horner's investigation created a very tense situation at Red Bull.

The Flying Dutchman's father, Jos, already clearly said he believed Red Bull would be torn apart if Horner stayed and reportedly told his friends his son would leave the team if he had to.

According to an F1 insider, there are currently two camps within the team. On one side, there are Horner Thai investors who own the majority of Red Bull. On the other side, there are supposed to be Austrian minority owners, Adrian Newey, Helmut Marko, Jos Verstappen, and his son, Max Verstappen.

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger, quoted by an F1 insider, said, "As of now, Horner stays, Helmut Marko and Adrian Newey quit, and Max goes to Mercedes."

Apparently, Verstappens and others on their side of the camp disagree with Horner's actions so much that they want him to resign and are threatening to leave. The 50-year-old team principal, however, wants to retain his position.