There has been speculation surrounding the possibility of the Dutch 26-year-old driver leaving the current Champions team. This speculation arose earlier this year after allegations were made against team principal Christian Horner regarding misconduct towards a female employee. However, Horner was later cleared of these allegations, although they did fuel rumors of divisions within the team.
Mercedes, the former F1 Champions, currently have a vacant spot on their team, as seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025.
According to Wolff, there are numerous factors that come into play when a driver considers joining a team. While it can be argued that the quickest car in the hands of the fastest driver is the most rational choice, Wolff believes there may be other factors to consider. He believes that Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver in question, takes these other factors into account.
Red Bull had an exceptional season last year, winning 21 out of 22 races with the most dominant car in the history of the sport. Verstappen, the team’s star driver, won Sunday’s race in Shanghai from pole position, marking his fourth victory in five races this year.
Wolff revealed that Mercedes has had discussions with several drivers regarding the vacant race seat for next year. However, he clarified that they have not yet reached a point where they have discussed long-term plans with Verstappen.
Christian Horner, the team boss at Red Bull, praised Verstappen’s driving abilities, describing him as a man driving “on another planet” following the Chinese Grand Prix. Horner also emphasized that Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, dismissing Wolff’s comments.
Horner believes that Wolff has other issues to focus on rather than pursuing drivers who are not available. He does not believe that Mercedes’ problems lie with their drivers.
Wolff expressed his belief that Mercedes will become an even more attractive option starting in 2026, when new chassis and engine regulations will be implemented. He stated that if he were Max Verstappen, he would stay at Red Bull in 2025 due to the team’s quick car, but acknowledged that there are other factors to consider.
In conclusion, the future of Max Verstappen’s racing career remains uncertain, with various teams vying for his talents. Both Mercedes and Red Bull present compelling cases for Verstappen’s consideration, and only time will tell which team he ultimately chooses.