Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has firmly stated that there was “never a plan” to bring Max Verstappen into the team as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Wolff also indicated that Verstappen had communicated his intention to remain with Red Bull, feeling it was the right decision for his future in Formula 1.
Verstappen to Mercedes Speculation Addressed by Wolff
Following the seismic announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season, speculation immediately linked Max Verstappen with a move to Mercedes. This intensified throughout Verstappen’s dominant 2023 season where he secured his fourth consecutive World Championship title.
Despite the persistent rumors and the allure of signing the reigning champion, Mercedes ultimately opted to promote their junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a highly-rated teenage talent, to fill the seat vacated by Hamilton. Antonelli’s contract length remains undisclosed, while George Russell’s contract with Mercedes is set to conclude at the end of the 2025 season. This contractual landscape has fueled expectations that Mercedes might renew their pursuit of Verstappen, particularly with the significant F1 regulation changes scheduled for 2026, for which Mercedes are reportedly making strong preparations.
Potential Impact of Max Verstappen Joining Mercedes in 2026
While the immediate prospect of Max Verstappen in a Mercedes for 2025 seems to be off the table, the possibility of a move in 2026 and beyond remains a talking point within the Formula 1 paddock. The potential implications of such a move are significant and could reshape the competitive order of F1 as teams adapt to the new regulations.
Wolff, in his statements to Auto Motor und Sport, a German publication, clarified Mercedes’ stance, emphasizing that a concrete plan to lure Verstappen from Red Bull for 2025 never existed. He acknowledged ongoing communication with Verstappen but highlighted the driver’s contentment at Red Bull.
Wolff explained, “There was never a plan. We always talked and kept the line of communication open. At some point he said that he wanted to stay where he was for the time being because it felt right for him. And I said that we would go with Kimi because it also felt right for us. And now we’ll see where it takes us.”
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, had previously confirmed the existence of a “performance element” within Verstappen’s contract, suggesting a potential avenue for Verstappen to leave the team before the contract’s full term in 2028. Reports in the Times newspaper further elaborated on this, suggesting a clause that could allow Verstappen to exit Red Bull if he is positioned lower than third in the Drivers’ Championship after a considerable portion of the 2025 season. This rumored clause echoes similar clauses that have been reported in Verstappen’s past Red Bull contracts.
In an interview with Sky Italy last September, Max Verstappen himself remained evasive about the existence of an exit clause in his Red Bull contract. While not confirming the clause, he conveyed a sense of control over his future and hinted at the possibility of seeking opportunities elsewhere if desired.
Verstappen stated, “People talk a lot more about these things than I do. I am very relaxed I just think about driving and trying to understand my problems and improve. Then I go home and live my life. I am quite relaxed about the future. For me it’s very simple, I like what I do and as long as I enjoy it I will stay here and continue driving in F1. If I want to go elsewhere, I will go elsewhere. But at the moment it is not in my head.”
When directly questioned about a clause enabling him to leave Red Bull before 2028, Verstappen responded, “Maybe yes or maybe no. Again, I don’t think about that at the moment, because there are so many things this year that I want to try to understand and do better than the years to come and what happens after that is still far away for me, so I don’t have it in my head at the moment.”
Mercedes’ historical dominance in Formula 1, particularly during the V6-hybrid engine era starting in 2014, is undeniable. They achieved an unprecedented run of eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships and secured seven Drivers’ titles. However, the shift to ground-effect regulations in 2022 presented challenges, and Mercedes has not replicated that level of success in recent seasons.
Despite recent struggles, there is optimism surrounding Mercedes’ engine capabilities and their potential for the 2026 regulation changes. Some believe Mercedes is approaching the 2026 season, with its radical changes to chassis and power unit rules, including increased electrification and sustainable fuels, with a level of confidence reminiscent of their dominant 2014 era. This confidence could be a factor in attracting top talent like Max Verstappen in the future.
Adding another layer to the Verstappen-Mercedes narrative, former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan claimed that Mercedes has established a “fighting fund” specifically to finance Verstappen’s potentially high salary. Jordan, known for his accurate prediction of Hamilton’s move to Mercedes in 2012, suggested that Toto Wolff engaged with Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius and INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe to devise a strategy for signing Verstappen.
Jordan, speaking on the Formula For Success podcast, asserted that Verstappen was aware of this meeting, held in Monaco, and that it signaled Mercedes’ serious intent to secure the World Champion’s services.
Jordan elaborated, “In Monaco there was a meeting between Toto, Jim Ratcliffe of INEOS [and] Ola Kallenius and together they put together a fighting fund to cover off the possibility of a salary requirement to cover Max. Max was aware of it, I’m not actually sure he was at the meeting. But surely that gives some indication about the steely commitment by Toto and his team to actually get Max on board at some stage. We shouldn’t be surprised to see Max in a Mercedes car in the next years.”
While Toto Wolff downplays immediate plans for Max Verstappen Mercedes partnership in 2025, the underlying narrative suggests that Mercedes’ interest in the Dutch driver remains strong for the future, particularly as Formula 1 enters a new regulatory era in 2026.
