Toto Wolff has hit out at Red Bull team principal Christian Horner for making ‘stupid’ and ‘nonsense’ claims over why Mercedes are interested in signing Max Verstappen.
The Silver Arrows have long targeted a deal to break Verstappen out of his contract with Red Bull to replace Lewis Hamilton. He is locked up in Milton Keynes through the 2028 Formula 1 season. But the 26-year-old’s deal also includes exit clauses that let him possibly leave early.
Mercedes would desperately like to sign Verstappen for as early as the 2025 season with the Brackley outfit set to lose Hamilton next year. Ferrari signed the 39-year-old to a multi-year deal in February to replace Carlos Sainz. The Briton will partner Charles Leclerc in Maranello.
Toto Wolff slams Christian Horner’s claim Max Verstappen is Mercedes’ distraction tool
Ditching Red Bull for Mercedes would be extremely lucrative for Verstappen, too. F1-Insider noted in April that Wolff would roll out the red carpet for the three-time reigning champion. Mercedes could pay Verstappen up to €150m (£127m) to join also in an ambassadorial role.
But while Mercedes want Verstappen to replace Hamilton to have the drivers’ title-holder in their car, who even now ranks third all-time in F1 for wins (61), fifth for poles (39) and fourth for podiums (106), Red Bull boss Horner says Wolff’s interest comes from an ulterior motive.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025
Horner sought to utilise the team principals’ press conference at the Austrian Grand Prix this Friday to call out Mercedes’ ‘tactic’ of using Verstappen as a distraction from their problems. The Red Bull chief even asserted: “You have to ask yourself what the motives behind it are.”
But Wolff has now bitten back and hit out at his counterpart’s claim, stating that it is ‘stupid’ to say that Mercedes are using Verstappen as a distraction. The Silver Arrows CEO also does not hide from the fact that his Brackley team still need to improve to attract the best drivers.
“I didn’t hear that at all. That’s just stupid,” Wolff told Sky Germany. “He’s talking nonsense.
“The most important thing is that we look at our performance. If we have a fast car, then fast drivers will also want to drive for us. But we have to improve. Then we will also be a good haven for a Max Verstappen. But, at the moment, we are not fast enough.”
Targeting Max Verstappen keeps a spotlight on Mercedes’ on-track performances
While Horner claims that Mercedes are using Verstappen as a distraction from the F1 team’s problems, the Silver Arrows’ interest in the Dutchman has regularly put a spotlight on where they are in the pecking order. Even Verstappen has put an importance on their performance.
F1-Insider also added in April whilst citing the Silver Arrows’ potential terms that Verstappen wanted assurances from Mercedes that their 2025 car will be an improvement on their 2024 machine. He would also prioritise what Wolff’s crew have planned for F1’s 2026 regulations.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1’s 2026 engine and chassis regulations
Mercedes have since closed the gap to Red Bull with George Russell taking pole position and his first podium of 2024 at the Canadian GP. Hamilton also made his first podium of the year at the Spanish GP. Both Briton’s best results are now third place finishes in F1’s recent races.
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