Toto Wolff has apparently sent Max Verstappen a clear message about Helmut Marko in private talks over a move to Mercedes. Wolff wants Verstappen to replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.
But the Mercedes team principal faces a huge task to prise him away from Red Bull, who have delivered him three straight title-winning cars. He’s the overwhelming favourite to win titles four and five this year and next.
However, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, journalist Tom Clarkson shared some insight on the discussions between Wolff and Verstappen. The Austrian, it seems, is doing whatever he can to tempt the Dutchman.
Previous reports have suggested that Mercedes are willing to pay the 26-year-old ‘considerably’ more than seven-time world champion Hamilton. And then, after his racing career ends, he’ll reap the benefits of a lucrative ambassador deal.
Wolff recognises that faith in the Silver Arrows is limited at present. Having been Red Bull’s nearest challengers last year, they’ve fallen to a distant fourth in the standings.
Toto Wolff makes Helmut Marko promise to Max Verstappen
According to Clarkson, Wolff is going after Verstappen ‘very strongly’, despite the seemingly slim chances of getting a deal done. He believes it could be exactly the kind of ‘statement’ the floundering team needs.
The 52-year-old is even willing to appoint Marko to a prominent role at Mercedes if it helps to convince his top target. Marko oversees the Red Bull driver programme that brought Verstappen into F1 in the first place with Toro Rosso.
Clarkson said: “In Japan, I was told by several people that Toto Wolff is pursuing Max very strongly. He needs a signature signing, because obviously the last three years haven’t been going very well for the team.
“It would be a real statement of intent, wouldn’t it, if he got Max Verstappen. It was even mentioned to me that he’s said to Max, ‘bring Helmut Marko with you, if that’s what it requires’. So a bit of an Austrian superteam at the top of Mercedes.”
Who could replace Max Verstappen at Red Bull?
If Wolff does manage to somehow snap up Verstappen, then he’ll leave Christian Horner and co. with a daunting succession task, the kind he’s faced following Hamilton’s announcement. Contingency plans are already in place, though.
According to Will Buxton, the Bulls will move for one of the two McLaren drivers – Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri – in the event that he goes. But their expectation remains that he will honour a contract that runs until the end of 2028.
One driver who won’t be on the market is Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard has just signed a new multi-year deal with Aston Martin, which means Red Bull wouldn’t be able to replace one world champion with another.
There’s interest in bringing Alex Albon back to the team, but for 2026 rather than 2025. Perhaps those plans could be brought forward in an emergency.
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