P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is relishing its “homegrown” F1 line-up in 2025 as he admitted that he’s unsure whether Max Verstappen will ever move to the team.
The bombshell announcement earlier this term that Lewis Hamilton will be departing to go to Ferrari once the campaign ends opened up a vacant space at Mercedes. Wolff made clear in public that his top target to replace the seven-time F1 champion was Verstappen, despite the Dutchman having a deal with Red Bull through 2028. However, Wolff was striving to capitalise on the disruption behind the scenes at Red Bull to attract Verstappen, who has certain exit clauses inserted into his contract. Verstappen, though, is poised to wrap up a fourth consecutive F1 title this season and has expressed that he will be continuing with Red Bull into next season at least. Wolff highlighted that his relationship with the Verstappen camp remains strong, even with the turbulent 2021 title fight between his Mercedes team and Red Bull. Verstappen’s decision to honour his existing Red Bull deal has seen Wolff turn to Mercedes Junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli to partner incumbent George Russell in 2025. Wolff has argued it “feels natural” to open a new chapter with two Mercedes-backed prospects, though he didn’t rule out attempting to entice Verstappen in the future.
