P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has been linked with a move to the Mercedes F1 team and last year held talks with team principal Toto Wolff.
Max Verstappen has detailed the discussions he had with Toto Wolff from Mercedes last year. Wolff actively pursued Verstappen to join Mercedes in 2024 amidst turmoil at Red Bull as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton. However, Wolff has shifted focus and expressed his interest in retaining George Russell and Kimi Antonelli until 2026. Verstappen and Mercedes were fierce rivals as he competed against Hamilton in the 2021 championship battle. The conversation between Verstappen and Wolff aimed to reconcile their past rivalry’s intensity. Verstappen mentioned that the talks encompassed future collaborations beyond Formula 1, highlighting that decisions about his future involve more than just F1 opportunities with a team. He emphasized that he is engaged in various projects with Red Bull that extend beyond the scope of Formula 1, indicating that any potential partnership must align with his broader initiatives.
