Toto Wolff Reveals Mindset Behind Trying to Lure Max Verstappen to Mercedes

Toto Wolff pondered over his and Mercedes' mindset behind wanting to acquire Max Verstappen in their squad as soon as possible.

Toto Wolff Reveals Mindset Behind Trying to Lure Max Verstappen to Mercedes

Toto Wolff (via Getty), Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

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Amid Red Bull’s extreme performance slump, Max Verstappen was the center of incessant rumors of wanting to exit the team. Mercedes remained in the spotlight as the best option for Verstappen to switch as soon as the 2026 season. Toto Wolff‘s deep interest in acquiring the reigning world champion did not go unnoticed either, as it fueled the rumors further. However, the Dutchman cleared the air and declared that he was staying at Milton Keynes. Now, Wolff has recalled the entire matter and weighed in on it.

Max Verstappen has been undeniably performing at the pinnacle of his career since the 2022 season, much better than any of his rivals. This caused Toto Wolff to have a great interest in acquiring the Dutchman at Mercedes, claiming that the move needed to happen. The two even met in Sardinia amid all the rumors, which hinted that a deal had been done between the two. However, Verstappen quickly put an end to the rumors and insisted that he hoped to end his career at Red Bull.

Toto Wolff recalled the entire matter and insisted that the entire conversation was never about Mercedes having a chance to acquire Max Verstappen. Rather, Wolff insisted that the bigger question was whether the switch made sense from the team’s perspective. Moreover, the Austrian revealed that the conversation never reached the point where both parties gave it a shot and made the switch in teams.

It was never that one dimension of ‘have we got a shot?’ It was more ‘does it make sense from the Mercedes perspective?’ and ‘does that make sense from the Verstappen perspective?’ And it never came to the point where you could say, ‘well, we’ll give it a shot.’

Toto Wolff said, as reported by RacingNews365.com

Toto Wolff asserted that as a Team Principal of Mercedes, it was his obligation to explore the options of acquiring a four-time champion in Max Verstappen. Wolff made a shocking revelation that Verstappen is undeniably the best driver in the current Formula 1. The Austrian insisted that it wasn’t a secret anymore, and as such, it made even more sense to try to acquire the reigning world champion.

It is my obligation as a team principal here to explore what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future and what his situation is. Any driver out there will say that Max, as it stands, is probably the best. That’s not a secret.

Toto Wolff added

Toto Wolff hints ‘different’ combination at Mercedes amid Max Verstappen rumors

Mercedes currently has great stability with its driver lineup in George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, while Toto Wolff has hinted at continuing with the same lineup. However, it is no secret that Wolff wouldn’t think twice when the opportunity to poach Max Verstappen to Mercedes comes up. Hence, the 53-year-old hinted at a different combination at Brackley in the coming years.

Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli (via Red Bull)

Toto Wolff asserted that every team needed to go for the best driver in their lineup. Wolff reflected that one couldn’t have the best at the moment and wait for some time, and develop and bring out the best from a certain driver. While the Austrian accepted that he currently had a good combination at Mercedes, he was curious as to what the situation would be in the coming seasons.

Every team needs to go for the best driver. Sometimes you can’t have the best at the moment. Sometimes you need to wait for a time and sometimes you need to develop the best. For me today, what we have is a very good combination. Let’s see what it is in two or three years. It may be different.

Toto Wolff noted

The 2025 season has been full of ups and downs for Mercedes as they fight for the runner-up spot in the constructors’ championship against Ferrari. George Russell has emerged victorious in one race so far, with Kimi Antonelli still learning the ropes of Formula 1. Now, time will tell how the driver’s situation pans out at Brackley, as the team is yet to confirm their drivers for their 2026 season onwards.

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