Toto Wolff reveals why Mercedes can sign Max Verstappen despite open rejection

Max Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 F1 season.

Toto Wolff reveals why Mercedes can sign Max Verstappen despite open rejection

Toto Wolff [L] and Max Verstappen [R] (images via IMAGO)

In recent times, Max Verstappen‘s Mercedes rumors have gone off the boil. He was heavily linked with a 2025 move to Mercedes during the Saudi Arabian GP weekend. But last week, Verstappen openly portrayed his loyalty toward Red Bull.

Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, despite Max Verstappen’s open Mercedes rejection, is still clinging onto hope! He genuinely believes that certain factors can tempt the reigning world champion to sign for the Brackley-based team.

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Wolff deems core values as one of the main factors that could play in Mercedes’s favor!

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I don’t want to speculate too much about his thoughts or put pressure on him. In due time, Max, Jos [Verstappen, Max’s father], and Raymond Vermeulen, their manager, will have to decide what their priority is – the car, the results, or certain values within the team that may or may not be respected and that they consider important. Knowing them quite well, I think Max and Jos are very attached to clear values.
Toto Wolff said in an interview with Silverarrows

Max Verstappen’s current deal with the Milton-Keynes-based team runs until the end of the 2028 F1 season. He is immensely happy with how things have panned out under the current set of regulations, but he is certainly not at ease because of the controversies surrounding Red Bull.

Toto Wolff’s take on Mercedes’ ‘brutal’ Australian GP weekend

While Wolff is clinging onto hope in the Max Verstappen – Mercedes saga, the former’s team had a horrendous outing during the 2024 Australian Grand Prix. Firstly, Lewis Hamilton retired from the race with an engine issue and then its second driver, George Russell, crashed out on the final lap.

Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

The Brackley-based team came away with zero points from Melbourne!

It's tough to take, super tough! And I would be lying if I could say I was feeling positive about the situation.  But today it feels, very very brutal.
Toto Wolff said in post-race interview with F1

After a tough three-day outing around the Albert Park F1 circuit, Mercedes is currently fourth in the Constructors Championship with only 26 points. Moreover, a midfield runner like Aston Martin is breathing down its neck with 25.

The Mercedes W15 has quite a few issues that the team is working on to correct as soon as possible. Next up on the F1 calendar is the Japanese Grand Prix and considering this, it will be fascinating to see how the Mercedes duo would perform around the free-flowing Suzuka F1 circuit.

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