Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, doesn’t believe that Max Verstappen will join his team in 2025. In fact, he anticipates that the Dutch driver might only consider a move to the German team from 2026 onwards. Wolff’s hope is to produce a faster Mercedes car under the new regulations in 2026.
It’s no secret that Toto Wolff would love to have Max Verstappen as a driver for his Mercedes team. The Austrian team boss has often expressed his hope for the three-time world champion to make a move to Brackley. However, Wolff doesn’t expect to see Verstappen in Mercedes silver in the near future.
“Would Max Verstappen decide to drive for Mercedes in 2025? No. There’s no reason for it. Why would he?” Wolff told Sky Sports. The team boss thinks it’s unlikely that Verstappen will leave Red Bull as long as the Austrian team remains dominant. “But 2026 is the year when many things will change. I think it could then be attractive to drive for us. But whether Max will do that and whether he can get out of his contract? I don’t know.”
Wolff hopes to produce a faster car than the current W15 under the new regulations in 2026. He believes this could make a move more appealing for Verstappen. “A fast car attracts the attention of a fast driver. That’s our main priority,” said the Mercedes team boss.
Mercedes to Choose Driver Only in November
For now, a move by Verstappen doesn’t seem likely for Wolff, and he will have to choose another driver for the vacant 2025 seat next to George Russell. The Austrian team boss doesn’t think the choice will be Carlos Sainz, whose Ferrari contract expires at the end of this year. “I would have liked to choose Carlos Sainz because he is greatly underestimated and works hard,” explains Wolff. “But I don’t think they can wait as long as we need. Because our decision might only be made in November.”
