Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is targeting Max Verstappen for 2025 but accepts that the reigning Formula 1 champion wouldn’t provide a “silver bullet” to the team’s woes.
Mercedes is assessing the options to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton, though Wolff has reiterated his stance that Verstappen would remain an obvious candidate.
The Dutchman has capitalised on Red Bull’s dominance since F1’s switch to ground effect cars in 2022 to win 41 races en route to becoming a three-time World Champion.
However, Verstappen has been linked with a sensational switch to Mercedes amid the tension that has encapsulated Red Bull since the investigation into Christian Horner.
But amid Mercedes enduring a disastrous start to the current campaign, Wolff admits that the competitiveness of the German marque’s car is a bigger issue than drivers.
Asked whether Verstappen was his number one choice, Wolff answered: “Yes, you see what his performance levels are, but I wouldn’t want to discount the other ones too.
“I think we’ve got to look at ourselves and say what is it we can do with this car. And then it becomes much easier, whoever drives the second car, it’s becoming much easier for George because he has the potential of being a World Champion and so much more. The team’s problem to solve than really looking for a silver bullet with an amazing driver.”
Mercedes has experienced a disappointing start to the latest season, with its revamped W15 car failing to deliver the consistent promise that it has shown in flashes.
Hamilton has been scrambling to understand the unpredictable spikes in balance he has been encountering which led to him sustaining a Q2 elimination in Australia.
Wolff denied that he viewed the potential acquisition of Verstappen as a guarantee that Mercedes would leap up the order, stating: “I just think he’s extraordinary.
“But we would give him a car that’s a handful.
“If he could do set up and drive and I’d rather make that step and you know be out there and say you know this is a car you could drive because it’s also going fast.”
Verstappen has declared he intends to complete his current Red Bull deal through 2028, though, while Wolff stated the summer is the latest point to finalise its line-up.
Elsewhere, Mercedes prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli, competing in his debut Formula 2 season, has been touted to receive a straight promotion to the marque’s F1 side.
“We have a young kid that is very promising. I don’t want to put more extra pressure on him, but it looks like he can be one of the great ones,” Wolff admitted.
“But we also don’t want to drown in jumping so quickly in an F1 car, he’s 17. So there are a few options that we could play with him.”
But in the circumstance where Mercedes is not prepared to thrust Antonelli into a works seat, Wolff has named Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz as credible choices.
Two-time F1 champion Alonso has entered the last term of his Aston Martin contract, while Australian Grand Prix winner Sainz will vacate his Ferrari seat for Hamilton.
“Obviously there’s Fernando, very exciting. Carlos, very good,” Wolff continued. “So there’s a few ones [to consider].”
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