Now that his team’s Formula 1 driver lineup is set, Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff says it’s time to put an end to his “flirting” with Max Verstappen.
Following Lewis Hamilton’s announcement earlier this year that he would be leaving Mercedes at the end of the current season, Wolff had multiple conversations with the Verstappen camp over a possible swap.
Wolff had hoped that Verstappen would make a move because to the early-season unrest at Red Bull following the accusations made against team manager Christian Horner and concerns about the club’s long-term viability.
However, the interest in a Verstappen swoop evaporated as the negotiations came to a standstill and Mercedes grew more and more impressed with junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s testing results this year.
Mercedes declared that Antonelli will take over for Hamilton ahead of the Italian Grand Prix this year, with the team hoping that this would be the beginning of a long-term partnership.
Mercedes has stated that it intends to have a driver lineup in place for years with Antonelli and George Russell in place, which is why Wolff believes there is no longer a need to be involved with Verstappen.
When asked how he felt about Verstappen’s future, Wolff told Motorsport.com, “We’re sitting back.”
“I believe I’ve said this before, and Max shares a similar opinion: you have to have faith in your team or in your drivers. To ensure that it succeeds, you must provide it with as much assistance as possible. And you will think about other options only in the event that something goes terribly wrong.
It’s like flirting outdoors while you’re trying to sort out a relationship, in my opinion. Not that I’m flirting outside; it doesn’t work.
“I would only seek a chat if I wanted to make a change or consider making a change. On his end, it is the same. I believe that’s where our values are largely in agreement.
While Mercedes sees Antonelli as someone for the very long term, the future of Russell has been the subject of attention – with Red Bull saying he may be a possibility for the Milton Keynes squad when his current contracts ends at the end of 2025.
However, Wolff believes Russell will be a crucial member of Mercedes for many years to come and that he will enjoy the new task of climbing
All Formula One drivers, regardless of age, understand that they must compete against their teammates. Lewis Hamilton, the greatest driver of all time, has been George’s teammate for the past three years.
Therefore, he will do just well going up against a younger competitor who has high hopes.