Wolff Expects 'Big Name' To Sign With F1 Team In Upcoming Weeks

Friday, 05 April 2024 at 10:30

According to Formula One presenter Will Buxton, who is at the Suzuka Circuit, Toto Wolff hinted that a "big name" driver is about to sign within the upcoming weeks.

The 2024 driver market seems to be at a standstill after recent rumors of Max Verstappen considering leaving Red Bull.

The whole market depended on the triple World Champion's decision, but it seems like he isn't about to leave the team from Milton Keynes.

The Dutchman was (and maybe still is) on the priority list of the Mercedes team principal, who is searching for a second driver, but at the same time, in no rush, as he emphasized. Will Buxton told F1 TV:

"Toto says he's in no rush to make a decision over his drivers. He has about three or four that he's thinking about, and he's not going to tell us who. Maybe Sebastian Vettel is one of them. Kimi Antonelli almost certainly is."

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There have been many speculations about Sebastian Vettel considering a return to F1 in recent days, but he suggested he still hasn't made up his mind on whether he wants to return or not.

With a few drivers on his list, Wolff is probably waiting to see how the market further evolves. According to Buxton, he expects a "big name" to sign with an F1 team in the upcoming weeks.

"But Toto says the decisions will be made slightly easier as he expects a big name to sign within the next few weeks ...not for his team, for another team."

There are many drivers on the market at the moment, but not so many could be called "big name." Perhaps only Fernando Alonso or Carlos Sainz could be the only two big names without seats for next season.

It is much less likely, but a "big name" driver might be Max Verstappen or Sebastian Vettel. Both were rumored to be in talks with Wolff, and the signing isn't supposed to be with Mercedes.