Toto Wolff has refused to hide his interest in Red Bull driver Max Verstappen this year. Wolff sees the world champion as the ideal replacement for the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.
Predictably, this has angered some of his counterparts at Milton Keynes. Christian Horner has told him to focus on his own team and stop publicly courting the Dutchman.
Thus the tension between Red Bull and Mercedes persists even though they’re no longer direct competitors on track. The Silver Arrows are 180 points behind the championship leaders after the first eight races.
They find themselves in F1 purgatory between the top three and the midfield. It’s a far cry from the 2021 season, where they engaged in an acrimonious battle for glory involving Hamilton and Verstappen.
Publicly, the Dutchman has talked about finishing his career at Red Bull. But behind the scenes, there’s talk that he’d be willing to leave at the end of next season.
Verstappen is still driving the best car on the grid and has little sporting reason to depart immediately. But he knows there will be major regulations for 2026, potentially shaking up the running order.
Toto Wolff says Mercedes could sign Helmut Marko
Speaking to Austrian outlet oe24, Wolff says he’s grown considerably ‘closer’ with Helmut Marko. This comes amid reported tension between Red Bull’s executive director and team principal Horner.
Marko was conspicuous by his absence from the official statement when they announced the departure of Adrian Newey. One journalist has suggested that Horner is trying to play down his influence in running the team.
“We have become much closer now,” Wolff said of Marko. “Despite the rivalry, there are common values that we stand for.”
When asked if he could sign both the 81-year-old and Verstappen for 2026, he replied: “Let’s put it this way: anything is possible in F1.”
The vital pact between Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen
Wolff has reportedly told Verstappen that he’s willing to find Marko a position at Mercedes if that’s what it takes for him to join. He’s seemingly becoming a bargaining chip in the negotiations.
Verstappen has a contract at Red Bull until 2028, but it’s not completely watertight. For instance, if Marko leaves the team, then the 26-year-old has the option to depart too.
And in this context, they’ve made a crucial pact. Marko has told Verstappen he’s willing to resign, activating the aforementioned clause in the process, if the world champion wants a way out.
Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff says it’s ‘impossible’ for the former to join Mercedes. But Wolff clearly disagrees.
As part of his role, Marko heads up the Bulls’ driver development programme. During his tenure, he’s helped to bring through not only Verstappen, but also big names like Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo.
As you can see in the table above, this trio have combined for more than 100 victories in Red Bull colours. And thanks to Verstappen and Vettel, they’ve won seven championships too.
The production line has somewhat faltered in recent years, however. Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly were both dropped mid-season after graduating from Toro Rosso, while Alex Albon only lasted 18 months.
This has forced the team to consider outside hires alongside Verstappen. Sergio Perez has had the gig since 2021, and he’s reportedly set to sign another new contract.
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