Wolff ends Verstappen pursuit following summer discussions

In a surprising turn of events, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that discussions with Max Verstappen's management team during the summer break culminated in the suspension of efforts to sign the three-time world champion for the 2025 season.

With Lewis Hamilton expected to leave Mercedes next year, the seat alongside George Russell is predicted to be filled by junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Wolff had openly expressed interest in bringing Verstappen on board for 2025, a move that gained some momentum amidst internal conflicts at Red Bull.

Speaking to Dutch media ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Wolff recounted meetings with Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, and his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, which led to a mutual agreement that a deal for 2025 would not be feasible.

"I thought all through the year that there was a window or that there was a possibility -- it wasn't zero," Wolff was quoted by Motorsport.com. "What were the odds of that happening? Maybe they were 10 to one, nine to one. Still, I didn't want to give up."

Wolff continued, "But then we together came to the conclusion over the summer that we shouldn't be waiting for something to happen before committing for 2025, but let's just continue our job, Max at Red Bull and here at Mercedes taking our own driver decisions. And that was a kind of joint thought."

He confirmed that the decision regarding Mercedes' driver lineup for 2025 has already been made, but he did not shut the door on Verstappen joining the team from 2026 onwards.

"What I like with Max, Raymond and Jos is that we talk straight," Wolff added. "We don't need to push each other. We have been in this too long; we've taken the decision for drivers for next year. This is what our full effort is going into. Hopefully that's going to be the lineup for 2026 and beyond. But that doesn't close the door on Max being with us in '26 or beyond, because we want to still keep all the options open in the same way he does. So what I enjoyed in our conversations is there is never a hidden agenda."

When asked after Saturday's qualifying session at Zandvoort about his involvement in the meeting between Wolff and his management, Verstappen's response was succinct: "I don't remember."

However, Verstappen had no issues with Wolff discussing these matters publicly. "No. I mean everyone can say what they want. I get along very well with Toto. I think he's open about what's happening within the team, also I think with the driver lineup and stuff. There's nothing wrong with that. At the same time, I just focus on my job -- there's a lot to do anyway. We just focus on that."

As the Formula 1 community digests this latest development, it remains to be seen how Mercedes' and Verstappen's futures will unfold beyond 2025.

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