Toto Wolff (middle) | Photo: picture alliance / HOCH ZWEI / Scanpix
The manager of the first formula (F-1) team “Mercedes”. Toto Wolff has been “handling” Max Verstappen, representing another F-1 unit, Red Bull, for some time in order to lure him to his team, reports “F1-insider.com”.
According to the information available to the media, Wolff is trying to use the current disagreements in the “Red Bull” team to his advantage. Although the scandal with Christian Horner’s inappropriate behavior towards one of the organization’s employees has died down, Red Bull is still in a tense atmosphere, and Wolff knows that Verstappen and his family took the employee’s side in this situation.
“I don’t want to speculate or put pressure too much. He currently has the best car and his relationship with Red Bull is also good. It’s just that the work environment is probably not what it should be,” says Wolff in the talks, who is ready to welcome Red Bull consultant and driver program manager Helmut Marko, who also has a strained relationship with Horner, to the team along with Verstappen.
On the other hand, a survey of Mercedes F-1 team employees shows that 90% of them would like Verstappen to represent this team. It is also noted that in 2026 “Mercedes” could become the owner of the most powerful engine in F-1, which is an important factor in the fight for the title.
It should be noted that Mercedes will have one seat free next season, as it was previously known that the long-time pilot of this unit, Lewis Hamilton, will represent Ferrari in 2025.
However, one of the most influential people of Red Bull will remain in the team
