Shanghai: Red Bull’s triple world champion Max Verstappen has more depth and may contemplate a switch to rivals Mercedes, despite the fact that he is presently driving the fastest Formula One car, according to Toto Wolff, the German team’s CEO.
Speculation that the Dutch 26-year-old would leave the current champions surfaced earlier this year following claims of wrongdoing against team principal Christian Horner, which he was ultimately exonerated of, but which fueled speculations of team divides.
Mercedes has a vacancy, as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025.
“Many things influence a driver’s decision to join. And plainly, when you look at it from the most logical position “From my point of view, it is the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver,” Wolff stated following the Chinese Grand Prix.
“But I don’t think that this is the only reason you stay where you are,” he said. “Perhaps other people have deeper depths and evaluate other issues as well. I believe Max has that.”
Red Bull won 21 of 22 races last season with the most dominant car in the sport’s history, and the team’s star driver won yesterday’s race in Shanghai from the pole position, his fourth win in five races this year.
Wolff stated that Mercedes had spoken with many drivers about next year’s open racing slot.
“No, Max, we are not at theWolff stated, “We would have talked about years or something.”
Following the Chinese Grand Prix, team leader Christian Horner hailed Verstappen as a driver driving “on another planet”.
“At the end of the day, we know (Verstappen) has a contract until the end of 2028,” Horner told reporters in reaction to Wolff’s statement.
“I don’t think Toto’s troubles stem from his drivers. I believe he should be focusing on other elements rather than, you know, unavailable drivers,” he continued.
The Mercedes team chief stated that he believed his team will be a particularly appealing prospect beginning in 2026, when new chassis and engine restrictions will be implemented.
“If I were Max, I would stay at Red Bull for 2025, but I’m not Max,” Wolff said.
“Because it’s the quickest car but there are other factors.”