Toto Wolff reveals ‘mistake’ that ruined relationship with Max Verstappen following 2021 Silverstone crash with Lewis Hamilton

Max Verstappen is currently one of the most sought-after drivers on the Formula 1 grid.

Toto Wolff reveals ‘mistake’ that ruined relationship with Max Verstappen following 2021 Silverstone crash with Lewis Hamilton

Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Toto Wolff (Via: Imago)

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has shared details of his relationship with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The latter has been a firm challenger to the Silver Arrows ever since the start of his dominating run in 2022.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were sworn rivals who fought fiercely alongside each other for wins during the 2021 campaign. One such instance was during the British GP, where Hamilton made contact with Verstappen, who tried to overtake him on the outside. As a consequence, the Dutchman crashed into the barriers at high speed.

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Toto Wolff has since laid his verdict on the matter, talking about a few of his actions during the past incident. Wolff claimed that his anger obstructed him from reaching out to Verstappen’s father (Jos Verstappen) to ask about the well-being of the Dutchman after the crash.

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We've had a very good relationship since Max came on our radar, racing single-seaters. Where it really went wrong was that I made a mistake after Silverstone 2021. I didn't call Jos on the same day, which I should have done, I didn't call him because we were so angry about the whole situation and because I was told by Paul Monaghan [Red Bull] that Max was fine. And in a way, I relied on that information rather than picking up the phone and calling Jos like I would have done all the years before and saying, Is Max OK?
Toto Wolff said ahead of the Dutch GP

Verstappen has since been approached by Wolff for a drive with his team in 2025 in place of Lewis Hamilton. However, the Dutchman has pledged his allegiance to the Milton Keynes-based outfit with which he leads the championship this season.

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Ex-F1 team owner deems signing Andrea Kimi Antonelli a mistake for Mercedes

Former Jordan F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has downplayed Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a righteous successor to Lewis Hamilton in 2025. Kimi Antonelli is rumored to be announced as a driver for the Silver Arrows at the Italian Grand Prix.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (via IMAGO)
I think he will go with Antonelli even though I think it’s a mistake. You are putting incredible pressure on him. Mercedes should be fighting for a constructors’ championship while they still look after Antonelli, which is what Toto want to do. But putting him in the limelight, a rabbit in the headlights… you just don’t want that. It’s not fair.
Eddie Jordan said on the Formula For Success podcast

Jordan claimed that the Brackley-based team would expose Kimi Antonelli to immense pressure in filling the shoes of Hamilton. He also stated that the team should mainly focus on fighting for the constructor’s championship in the near future.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli races for Prema Racing and is currently fifth in the F2 championship. The 17-year-old’s skill and prowess have greatly impressed Toto Wolff and company, who are more than likely to sign the young prodigy for 2025.

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