Toto Wolff reveals details of Max Verstappen offer: 'Then Helmut chipped in'

Toto Wolff has disclosed what he offered to Max Verstappen in 2014 before the Dutchman ultimately signed with Red Bull.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion made his debut with Toro Rosso in 2015, after the Mercedes team principal was unable to offer him a race seat for that campaign.

However, Wolff maintained his relationship with Verstappen and his father, Jos. That afforded the Austrian the opportunity to court the 65-time grand prix winner when Red Bull began to encounter internal instability and waning performance on track.

Now that Verstappen, who is contracted to the Milton Keynes squad through 2028, is confirmed to be staying put for next season and Mercedes is close to finalising new deals for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, Wolff has reflected on how he missed out on Verstappen the first time.

"I've known Jos and Max for a long time," the 53-year-old told Dutch media, including RacingNews365. "The relationship with Jos was always amicable. Same generation, same shit upbringing, so we always had that.

"I met Jos and Max in 2016 [2014]... talking about joining Mercedes, and that is what they wanted, but we didn't have a seat because we had Nico [Rosberg] and we had Lewis [Hamilton].

"So what I offered was a free seat in Formula 2 and a guarantee for Formula 1 the following year, and if we weren't able to do Formula 1, then he was free to go.

"Then Helmut [Marko] chipped in and obviously gave them the seat."

Crisis averted

The relationship soured during the ill-tempered 2021 season, when Verstappen and Hamilton fought to the wire over the drivers' championship, in the infamous and controversial title showdown in Abu Dhabi.

However, Wolff and the Verstappens have since reconciled, and last year the Mercedes boss said it was a partnership that had to happen at some point in the future.

So, whilst Verstappen will not join Mercedes in 2026, the door is still open for further down the line.

"And, in a way, we went through the ups and downs; 2021 was bad from either side," Wolff added. "It got out of control - the emotions take over, and you become so obsessed with your own perceptions and perspectives that it's difficult to see the other side.

"And I think that caused a bit of a crisis, but after a while, it settled down, and we had that clearing conversation a year later in Singapore with Jos, and since then, we've maintained a good relationship.

"So, where does it lead us in the future? Now I'm this naive and loyal person.

"George has been with us since he was 17. He's doing the job, he's delivering, he's outperforming the car, in my opinion. And then we have Kimi, and this is our long-term bet, and we just need to give him the time to develop."

Wolff went on to explain that it was integrity that prevented Verstappen from leaving Red Bull for Mercedes this year.

"And, at the same time, Max will have his reasons why he's staying at Red Bull," he said. "What he said is he owes them, and it's not the first moment you can walk away when the team doesn't perform, beyond the contract.

"So I think things have fallen in place like they are today, and who knows what happens in the future, but the integrity that he has shown to his team, and the integrity that I and the team have shown to our drivers, I think that's important."