Toto Wolff's boss has already made telling Max Verstappen comments as move edges closer
Mercedes still have plans to make Max Verstappen their driver.
Mercedes-Benz chief executive Ola Kallenius, who is effectively Toto Wolff’s boss, has made it clear that he would like to see Max Verstappen in the team’s colours. The Silver Arrows have held talks with the four-time world champion’s entourage as they look to entice him to Brackley for 2026. Wolff’s interest in Verstappen is not a new story.
The Austrian targeted the 27-year-old’s signature last season after Lewis Hamilton decided to swap Mercedes for Ferrari, but at the time, Red Bull were fighting for the Dutchman’s fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship title, while the W15 looked miserable to drive. Now, however, the story is different. Red Bull are fourth in the Constructors’ Championship standings with all but seven of their 172 points coming from Verstappen, and Mercedes are a more consistent threat for podium finishes. With that change has come intensified speculation surrounding a move to Wolff’s squad.
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For Kallenius, the debate about whether to sign Verstappen has an obvious answer. At the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, he was asked about the speculation by Sky Germany. “The best driver wants to have the best car,” he said.
“And that’s our job, to bring the best package together. The cards will be reshuffled in 2026. New order with new rules. That’s also an opportunity. Who knows? But I think Max would look good in silver, wouldn’t he?”
Over a year later, Kallenius may get his wish. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Mercedes-Benz chairman has given his ‘green light’ for Wolff to advance his pursuit of the four-time world champion.
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Red Bull are doing everything they can to keep their star driver. Last week, team principal and CEO Christian Horner was sacked after 20 years in his role, with Laurent Mekies appointed in an attempt to turn the ship around. He will receive upgrades immediately, with a package prepared for the Belgian Grand Prix.
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If Wolff can lure Verstappen to Brackley, he’ll have to make a difficult decision about who to sideline. Both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are homegrown Mercedes talents, and both are out of contract at the end of the year. Worse still, both are performing to a high level, making it difficult to pick between proven ability and future potential.
Unfortunately for Russell, until now, he has been linked as the man most likely to depart. He’s not panicking, though. “Of course, there are lots of conversations, lots of rumours, and all of these being pointed towards me, but from my side, that isn’t really going to be the case,” he said. “I want to continue with Mercedes into the future. The fact is, Toto has never let me down.”
