F1 pundit asserts Toto Wolff has not ‘given up’ on signing Max Verstappen for 2025

Toto Wolff has continued to dream of acquiring Max Verstappen at Mercedes in the coming season despite stern rejection from the former.

F1 pundit asserts Toto Wolff has not ‘given up’ on signing Max Verstappen for 2025

Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

The vacancy at Mercedes due to Lewis Hamilton‘s switch to Ferrari is yet to be filled. Toto Wolff has continued to play the waiting game on the final call after he aimed to acquire Max Verstappen relentlessly.

The Austrian believed that he could make the Dutchman consider leaving Red Bull amidst the struggles. However, Verstappen has stayed loyal to Milton Keynes and isn’t considering a move anytime soon.

YouTube video

F1 pundit Tom Clarkson reckoned that there was still a ‘shadow’ of Max Verstappen in Wolff’s mind. Clarkson noted that Toto Wolff hadn’t completely given up on the thought of having Verstappen at Mercedes. The Mercedes team boss was still adamant about acquiring the reigning world champion under the team’s arsenal.

FS Video
There is still the shadow of Max Verstappen [over Mercedes]. I think Toto Wolff still hasn’t completely given up on the thought of having Verstappen in one of his cars next year, but all the messaging we’re getting from Red Bull – and actually from Max – is that Max will be at Red Bull for 2025.
Tom Clarkson said on the F1 Nation podcast

Max Verstappen had made it very clear that even $250 Million couldn’t convince him to leave Red Bull. Toto Wolff didn’t deny the possibility of acquiring Verstappen after claiming that the move needed to happen. However, Wolff has continued to face constant rejection from the Dutchman over his goals for the latter to join Mercedes.

RELATED
Dutch driver claims NASCAR’s Kyle Larson will ‘cry’ within two sessions against Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen and Kyle Larson (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen to compare Red Bull powertrains to Mercedes before deeming a move in 2026

Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull is supposed to last till the end of the 2028 season. However, Tom Clarkson believes Verstappen will witness the Red Bull powertrain for the new regulations in 2026. Subsequently, the Dutchman will compare that to Mercedes’ powertrains and take a final call over the team to continue with for the coming seasons.

He’ll see what Red Bull Powertrains are doing with their power unit this time next year. He’ll then go and see what Mercedes High Performance [Powertrains] are doing in Brixworth with theirs and he’ll have the numbers in front of him to be able to make the right call for 2026.
Tom Clarkson added
Adrian Newey, Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via IMAGO)
Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen, and Adrian Newey (via IMAGO)

Red Bull is currently suffering from a massive slump in performance compared to the season’s beginning. Mercedes has also started to close the window on Milton Keynes’ performance. Hence, the Austrian constructor must continue to upgrade the chassis to make Verstappen consider continuing with the same team.

In case you missed it: