Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said that they would “love to have” Max Verstappen for the next season.
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The Dutch driver’s future is a matter of debate due to the controversy within Red Bull following the allegations made about team boss Christian Horner. Verstappen is under contract to Red Bull until 2028.
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“A driver will always try to be in the fastest possible car. This is where Max is at the moment. I would love to have him but first we need to sort out our car”, said Wolff. According to BBC Sport, Verstappen’s management has been in talks with Mercedes in case the situation at Red Bull worsens.
Wolff said that Verstappen, his father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen were “very straight – sometimes uncomfortably straight”. “That is something they will make up their minds (about), but fundamentally a racing driver is calibrated to be in the best car”.
Mercedes is looking for a driver for the 2025 season, since Lewis Hamilton has decided to move to Ferrari. “This is a decision Max needs to take and there is no team up and down the grid who wouldn’t do handstands to have him in the car”, added Toto.