Max Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes has been the subject of much speculation recently, with fans and experts eagerly weighing in on the possibility. Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ Team Principal, has added fuel to the fire with his latest remarks, and they’re bound to make you sit up and take notice.
Even with a contract that binds him to Red Bull until 2028, Verstappen has been tipped to switch teams as early as 2025. This comes on the heels of an uncertain start to Red Bull’s 2024 season. Wolff, known for his candidness, believes that Verstappen shouldn’t consider joining Mercedes right now, citing the need for the team to prove its ability to win consistently.
Red Bull’s dominance in F1 2023, with an astonishing 21 wins out of 22 races, seems to have hit a rocky patch. The departure of long-time designer Adrian Newey and internal conflicts, like the feud between Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen, have cast a shadow over the team’s performance. Meanwhile, Mercedes has managed to secure recent victories in Austria and Britain, thanks to some fortunate on-track incidents and stellar driving.
Wolff openly admits his desire to see Verstappen in a Mercedes seat, especially as Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025. However, he urged caution, stating, “We need two to crash at the front to win at the moment. I think we still need to look at ourselves and say: ‘What can we do in order to have a car that is able to race with these two at the front and do it more regularly?’” Wolff’s message is clear: Mercedes needs to be a more compelling option before Verstappen should even consider a move.
Adding to the chorus, former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos has also chimed in. He believes Verstappen should “seriously consider” joining Mercedes, especially with the W15’s improved performance. Doornbos pointed out that the changing dynamics at Red Bull, coupled with Mercedes’ upward trajectory, make for an interesting scenario. He speculated that if Mercedes keeps up its form, Verstappen could dominate once again under the new F1 2026 regulations. “I still believe he will go to Mercedes,” Doornbos stated. “But I think Mercedes would rather have it happen in 2025.”
Doornbos highlighted the internal turmoil at Red Bull, including Adrian Newey’s departure and Sergio Perez’s struggles, as factors that might influence Verstappen’s decision. He suggested that Verstappen has to weigh whether Red Bull can regain its footing or if the team’s golden era is over. “Max has to see whether Red Bull can still get things back on track,” Doornbos added.
The speculation is certainly intriguing, raising questions about where Verstappen’s future lies. As Mercedes continues to improve and Red Bull grapples with its challenges, fans will be eagerly watching to see what unfolds. Whether Verstappen will make the leap to Mercedes remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the F1 driver market just got a whole lot more interesting.
In the ever-shifting world of Formula 1, nothing is set in stone. Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes adds an exciting twist to the unfolding drama. With Wolff urging patience and Doornbos advocating for a switch, the stakes are higher than ever. Stay tuned, because this saga is far from over.
Source: Planetf1
