After nearly two years of grappling with the so-called ground effect regulations, Mercedes’ Formula 1 team has won two consecutive races. George Russell clinched victory in Austria, while Lewis Hamilton demonstrated his dominance at Silverstone. Are Mercedes’ victories enough to convince Verstappen to make a move to Brackley in the future?
Toto Wolff has been nothing but positive about Max Verstappen in recent months. The Austrian needs a replacement for Lewis Hamilton and knows that the Dutchman might be the fastest driver on the grid. After the British GP, he was asked if Verstappen has developed a greater interest in Mercedes.
“I don’t know,” responded Wolff. “But he’s had a good look at the car,” he joked. Verstappen crossed the finish line just a few seconds after Lewis Hamilton – in the last few laps, he made a futile attempt to overtake Hamilton’s Mercedes.
‘Fast Racers Will Naturally Follow’
According to Wolff, the renewed competitive strength does not change Mercedes’ plans. “I have always said that our car just needs to be fast,” he explained. “The fast racers will then naturally follow. We need to stay calm and finish this season as well as possible. The focus is still on further developing the car, after that we will see what the options are for 2025.”
There is a small chance that the Austrian will persuade Verstappen to move to Mercedes as early as next year. Formula 2 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli – who claimed his first victory in the junior class on Saturday – is a more logical candidate. Furthermore, Carlos Sainz is a popular option, although Wolff wants to ‘wait a long time’ before offering the Spaniard a contract.
