Mercedes Eyes Max Verstappen for 2025 Formula One Season

In a surprising turn of events, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has expressed keen interest in recruiting Max Verstappen for the 2025 Formula One season, amidst swirling rumors and speculation surrounding the future lineup of top drivers.

The speculation around Verstappen’s potential move stems from purported discontent within the Red Bull camp following the investigation into Christian Horner, with strained relations reported between Horner and Verstappen’s influential father, Jos.

With Lewis Hamilton set to depart Mercedes at the end of the current F1 campaign to join Ferrari, there has been speculation that Mercedes might pursue Verstappen as his replacement.

Wolff confirmed Mercedes’ interest in Verstappen, acknowledging the potential opportunity amid ongoing developments in the F1 landscape. Despite Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull, Wolff expressed a willingness to explore the possibility, highlighting the vacant slot at Mercedes as a unique opportunity for the Dutch driver.

“We have a slot free, the only one in the top teams – unless Max decides he goes and then the slot is not going to be free with us anymore,” he told Fox Sports at the Australian Grand Prix.

While acknowledging Verstappen’s exceptional performance, Wolff emphasized that Mercedes is open to considering other talented drivers as well. However, Verstappen appears to be the top choice for the team, given his remarkable track record in Formula One.

Asked if Verstappen would be his number one pick, Wolff replied: “Yes. You see what his performance levels are but I wouldn’t want to discount the other ones too.”

He added: “It’s a kind of relationship that needs to happen at a certain stage, but we don’t know when.”

Wolff’s relationship with Jos Verstappen adds another layer of intrigue to the potential move, reflecting the complexities of driver negotiations in the competitive world of F1.

In addition to Verstappen, Wolff mentioned other potential candidates, including double world champion Fernando Alonso, outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, and promising Mercedes-backed F2 rookie Kimi Antonelli, further adding to the speculation surrounding Mercedes’ future driver lineup.

“Obviously there’s Fernando, who’s very exciting, and Carlos, very good. So there’s a few ones,” he said.

As discussions and negotiations unfold, the F1 community eagerly awaits further developments regarding Mercedes’ pursuit of Verstappen and the potential impact on the dynamic of the sport.