Toto Wolff has responded with humour to Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract renewal and the Mercedes talks that ultimately came to nothing. Speaking to the media at Zandvoort, the Mercedes team principal joked about the four-time Formula 1 world champion’s growing links with the German manufacturer outside F1, after his new Red Bull deal appeared to bring the prospect of a move to Brackley to a definitive end.
The Mercedes boss nevertheless suggested that the paths of Max Verstappen and the Silver Arrows could continue to cross in other forms of motorsport. GT racing, in particular, has created an unexpected connection between the Dutchman and Mercedes even as an F1 partnership has failed to materialise.
Toto Wolff jokes about Max Verstappen after Red Bull renewal
As has become traditional ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Toto Wolff met the media at Zandvoort for an informal discussion. Similar meetings have produced major driver-market stories in previous years, from Kimi Antonelli’s promotion to reports of contact with Max Verstappen. This time, however, the Mercedes team principal chose humour when discussing the Dutchman’s Red Bull renewal.
Asked about the future and Max Verstappen’s failed move to Brackley, Toto Wolff joked that Mercedes and the Dutch driver were already crossing paths, albeit in a completely different environment: the world of GT racing.
“When we developed that programme together a year and a half ago, it seemed like an impossible undertaking: would Red Bull ever allow Max to drive a Mercedes GT3?” the Austrian manager said, as reported by Motorsport.com.
Wolff praises Verstappen’s passion for Nürburgring racing
Toto Wolff then took a playful swipe at modern Formula 1 while celebrating the appeal of the Nordschleife and the famous Nürburgring 24 Hours, where Max Verstappen enjoys racing.
“In F1 we have huge gravel run-off areas. The real racing is in the Green Hell, between trees, bumps, blind corners… and against Olli’s Garage’s Dacia Logan! They are the real heroes. You race against 150 cars, during the day, at night, in fog and rain. Those are the real heroic races, and we have Max behind the wheel for the most important events of the year.”
The comments came during an emotional Zandvoort weekend for the Dutch driver, who had already paid tribute to his home supporters ahead of the final Dutch Grand Prix.
Could Max Verstappen still work with Mercedes in the future?
Inevitably, Toto Wolff was eventually asked whether Max Verstappen could one day appear in a silver Formula 1 car. The Mercedes boss preferred to keep his answer open-ended, suggesting that their paths could cross again without necessarily involving Verstappen racing for the team in Formula 1.
“I don’t know where our paths will cross, whether in karting, GT racing, F1 or another project. One day it could happen, but perhaps not necessarily with Max behind the wheel.”
For now, Max Verstappen’s renewed commitment to Red Bull appears to have closed the most immediate route towards a Mercedes Formula 1 seat. Toto Wolff’s comments, however, suggest the relationship between the two sides may continue beyond the F1 driver market, particularly through their shared interests elsewhere in motorsport.
