Max Verstappen continues to be the main target for Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is leaving the team. Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes Formula 1, stated that they are currently not in discussions with Verstappen about his entry into the team in 2025. Instead, Mercedes is focused on improving their car. Hamilton’s decision to activate an exit clause in his contract opened up a vacancy at Mercedes for the next season. Wolff has publicly expressed his desire to bring Verstappen to Mercedes in 2025, taking advantage of the turmoil within the Red Bull team. However, Verstappen has been successful in his races and intends to fulfill his current contract until 2028. While Mercedes protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a potential candidate for the vacancy, Wolff has not yet made a final decision. He wants to postpone the decision as much as possible due to the uncertain nature of the future. Despite hoping to persuade Verstappen to leave Red Bull, Wolff acknowledges that Mercedes needs to focus on improving their performance. Mercedes has made significant progress in recent races, with consecutive podiums in Canada and Spain. Wolff believes that the team needs to continue improving and focus on themselves. The goal is to consistently be on the podium and eventually win races. Wolff denies rumors of discussions with Verstappen’s team about a possible move to Mercedes. He emphasizes that their priority is to work on their car. Verstappen’s recent victories have showcased his abilities, even when his car may not be the fastest. Wolff recognizes that Verstappen has the ability to make a difference and considers him, along with McLaren, as a reference in Formula 1 currently.
