Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has not given up on his desire to prise Max Verstappen from Red Bull, despite admitting the marque is “not competitive enough”.
Wolff is assessing the potential candidates to replace Lewis Hamilton, who descended the driver market into chaos with the choice to agree a move to Ferrari in 2025.
The Austrian, 52, has made public his preference to replace one multiple-time F1 champion with another in Verstappen, who retains a deal with Red Bull through 2028.
However, the Dutchman has reiterated his commitment to Red Bull on several occasions and stressed that he would prioritise competitiveness over a lucrative salary.
Wolff has accepted that the Bracklee-based squad’s chances at landing Verstappen’s coveted services will be unrealistic unless it improves its on-track performance.
“Max is not going to get in a car that is not competitive and at the moment we are not competitive enough to lure a World Champion,” he told PA in Monaco last week.
However, Wolff has pointed to McLaren’s revival from struggling to score points 12 months ago to now being a genuine contender to battling for wins against Red Bull.
“But we have to see how the next months go,” Wolff added.
“Look at McLaren. If we can put four-tenths on the car, we will be very competitive. I have to wait for the moment. There is no urgency.”
Mercedes is thought to have cooled interest in Carlos Sainz and would be prepared to promote protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli in case it can’t land Verstappen’s services.
Regarding Hamilton’s unexpected exit to Ferrari, Wolff can understand the reasons behind the Briton’s reversal on his Mercedes contract renewal agreed last September.
“That is what he said to me. He said he was going to stay and then he decided to go,” Wolff recalled.
“But people change their minds and circumstances change and you have to respect that. Today’s opinion might be different tomorrow and I have no hard feelings.
“If Ferrari is able to give Lewis a competitive car, he can win a world championship, there is no doubt about that.
“I will always have a personal relationship with Lewis and I will look back at the great times, professionally and personally.
“When Lewis moves to Ferrari he becomes a competitor but I will always wish him happy days.”
