© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Toto Wolff says Max Verstappen and Mercedes is “the kind of relationship that needs to happen” and adds the team’s choice for their second seat “depends also on what Max does”.
In an interview with FOX Sports Australia, conducted during the Australian Grand Prix weekend, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was asked whether Max Verstappen is the team’s first choice to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
“Yes, I mean, you see what his performance levels are,” the Austrian said.
“But I wouldn’t want to discount the other ones too. I think we’ve got to look at ourselves and [ask] what is it we can do with this car.
“Then it becomes much easier, whoever drives the second car, it’s become much easier for George [Russell] because he has the potential of being a World Champion and so much more.
“It’s the team’s problem to solve really, rather than looking for a silver bullet with an amazing driver.”
However, Toto also believes Mercedes needs to improve if they want to attract the Dutch driver.
“I think he’s extraordinary, but we would give him a car that’s a handful, and difficult to set up and drive.
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“I’d rather make that step and be out there and say: ‘This is a car you could drive because it’s also going fast.’”
When it was brought up that Mercedes had the opportunity to give Verstappen his start in Formula 1, while he was still in junior categories, only to pass on him because they couldn’t guarantee him a racing seat right away, Toto said this partnership “needs” to happen in the future.
“It’s the kind of relationship that needs to happen at a certain stage. But we don’t know when.”
As for when Mercedes will make the decision on who will partner up with George Russell in 2025, Toto said:
“As much as we were taken aback by Lewis’ decision so quickly, now I want to really take my time.
“We have a slot free, the only one in the top teams unless Max decides he goes, then the slot is not going to be free with us anymore.
“There are a few options that are really interesting for us, from the very young super talent to some of the elder ones who are very experienced.
“That’s not going to happen in the next few weeks or months or so… I want to continue to monitor the market.”
Asked whether George’s performance will have any impact on whether Mercedes will go after a younger driver, or a more experienced one, Toto said:
“No, [Russell’s] a bank. He’s having that seat, he’s been part of our junior programme for a long time. The reason why is because he’s great, so it’s about the second seat.
“I think it depends also on what Max does. Then we have a young kid that is very promising [Kimi Antonelli].
“And I don’t want to put more extra pressure on him, but it looks like he can be one of the great ones. But we also don’t want to drown him by jumping so quickly in an F1 car at 17.
“So there are a few options that we play with him. Obviously, there’s Fernando [Alonso] who is very exciting, and Carlos [Sainz] is very good. So there are a few ones.
“I’m gonna make the play like a bride – difficult to get,” Wolff concluded with a smile.
