Toto Wolff believes there’s nonetheless a 50 p.c likelihood that Max Verstappen might drive for Mercedes within the coming years in Components 1, after talks over a 2026 seat failed to return to fruition.
The Mercedes workforce principal confirmed renewed curiosity in poaching four-time world champion Verstappen in the previous couple of months, as Pink Bull’s dip in efficiency sparked questions on his future.
The Dutchman ultimately dedicated to staying at Pink Bull for one more season on the finish of final month, with Wolff additionally confirming plans to retain each George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026.
Nonetheless, talking on the eve of the Dutch Grand Prix, the Austrian left the door open for Verstappen to hitch Mercedes sooner or later, supplied the timing is correct for either side.
“We get on personally so nicely,” Wolff was quoted by Motorsport.com. “While you’re on the identical wavelength, it simply feels straightforward and that is what I see within the relationship.
“His views on racing or on different issues in our lives are very aligned. May that imply our paths won’t ever cross as a result of the timings are mistaken? Properly, that may occur, yeah. However that may very well be a 50 p.c [chance].
“The opposite 50 p.c is that we’re racing collectively at a sure stage in our careers, whether it is proper for either side.”
Toto Wolff hopes Mercedes’ tempo in 2026 can appeal to Max Verstappen
F1 is about for a large shake-up in 2026, with each the chassis and engine rules being overhauled on the similar time.
Traditionally, the producer that begins a brand new period on the entrance foot enjoys a long-lasting benefit – as Mercedes did with the introduction of hybrid energy models in 2014.
Staying at Pink Bull subsequent 12 months permits Verstappen to know the brand new aggressive panorama in 2026 earlier than making any plans for his long-term future in F1.
When it was advised to Wolff that whichever workforce is strongest subsequent 12 months will have the ability to appeal to the most effective driving expertise, he replied: “Hopefully us. After which I solely must pay 10 p.c!.
“And that is precisely what I stated to Raymond [Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager].
“I believe that for all the finest drivers cash isn’t the important goal. The important goal is to have a automobile and a workforce that may make you win world championships. After which comes the controversy about cash.
“I’ve all the time been of the opinion that you have to pay a driver pretty, no matter meaning, whoever the benchmark is. So, we’re all the time going to discover a answer if the celebrities are aligned. Finest workforce, finest drivers. And you then discover one another.”
Wolff was clear in his dealings with each Russell and Antonelli, stating on a lot of events that it was his obligation to search out the very best drivers for Mercedes.
This method did appeal to some criticism, notably as Russell has been one of many star performers of 2025 and Antonelli being tipped as Lewis Hamilton’s successor.
Explaining his viewpoint, Wolff stated: “That is what I stated to George: It’s my obligation as a workforce principal right here to discover what a four-time world champion goes to do sooner or later and what his state of affairs is.
“And any driver on the market will say that Max, because it stands, might be the most effective. That is not a secret. And each workforce must go for the most effective driver. Generally you’ll be able to’t have the most effective for the time being, typically you have to anticipate the time, and typically you have to develop the most effective. And for me as we speak, what now we have is an excellent mixture, and let’s examine what it’s in two or three years. It could be completely different.
“It by no means got here to the state of affairs the place it was like: ‘Okay, we’re going to do that’. Neither on Max’s aspect, nor on my aspect. It was by no means that one dimension of ‘have we bought a shot’? It was extra: ‘Does that make sense from the Mercedes perspective? And does that make sense from the Verstappen perspective?’
“May that imply our paths won’t ever cross as a result of the timings are mistaken? Properly, that may occur, yeah”
