Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has addressed rumours linking Max Verstappen to Mercedes. The rumours surfaced in the Austrian press after the Chinese Grand Prix.
Wolff Quashes Verstappen to Mercedes Rumours
Wolff dismissed the speculation, stating, “The amazing thing is that these silly rumours are already popping up in March. It’s silly enough that we usually have to talk about this in July. I don’t know who brought this up again.”
He affirmed Mercedes’ commitment to their current driver line-up. “We have two drivers with whom we have long-term, multi-year contracts. I couldn’t be happier with the two of them. Both are delivering top-notch performances, so there’s absolutely no reason to even consider a line-up change or other drivers. I say this with the utmost respect for Max.”
Wolff’s reaction is interesting, despite the unfounded nature and timing of the rumours. His statements and Mercedes’ current results highlight the risk Verstappen took by deciding against a switch to Mercedes at the end of last year.
Verstappen’s Red Bull Concerns
Verstappen has voiced his dissatisfaction with the direction F1 has taken. He believes Red Bull needs to improve its performance, particularly on the chassis side. Red Bull Racing Team Principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged this need for improvement in Suzuka.
Verstappen is also awaiting adjustments from the FIA. He anticipates no fundamental changes during the 2026 season and expects little from the scheduled meeting on April 9. Verstappen is communicating with the governing body about potential improvements, hoping for more significant changes in 2027. His future decisions may depend on these changes.
Wolff Comments on Verstappen’s Red Bull Situation
Wolff also commented on Verstappen’s situation with Red Bull’s new car. After the Chinese Grand Prix, Wolff noted Verstappen is in a “horror show” with the car.
“I mean, Max is really in a horror show. When you look at the onboard that he had in qualifying yesterday, that is just horrendous to drive,” the Mercedes team boss said in Shanghai. “And you can see that, but it’s not the same with many other teams.”
Verstappen has stated his views on the new technical regulations are separate from the competitive picture. He maintains that even if he were winning, he would express the same opinions about the ruleset.
Verstappen has called his decision not to switch to Mercedes a ‘conscious decision’.