Verstappen to Mercedes? Wolff responds to suggestion

Toto Wolff has responded to the suggestion that Max Verstappen could replace the out-going Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year.

Mercedes recently announced that it will part ways with Hamilton at the end of the upcoming campaign, bringing an end to a highly successful collaboration that saw Hamilton win six titles with the Brackley-based squad.

Hamilton will link up with Ferrari in 2025 after penning a multi-year deal with the team.

Several drivers have been named as potential replacements, including Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon and Fernando Alonso.

Although three-time World Champion Verstappen has a long-term deal in place with Red Bull until the end of 2028, Wolff flirted with the idea of reaching out to the Dutchman.

“We will always be committed to having the best conceivable driver duo in our cars,” Wolff told RTL.

“For that, we will not shy away from the various conversations either. We have now seen how quickly something can change.

"But having said that, we will respect existing contracts.”

'Drivers want the fastest cars'

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has already suggested that he expects Mercedes will attempt to lure Verstappen away from his current environment.

While Wolff acknowledged that Verstappen has a long-term future on paper with Red Bull, he highlighted that drivers will always seek out the fastest machinery.

"Drivers simply want to sit in the fastest cars,” he said.

“So in that respect it is up to us to show that we can build the fastest car, in the short term, but also in the long term and in view of the new regulations.

“Perhaps opportunities can come from that. The ball is in our court."