Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff humorously remarked that Max Verstappen had “lots of opportunities” to observe Mercedes’ car during the British Grand Prix, highlighting his ongoing interest in signing the Dutch driver.
Wolff’s intent to recruit Verstappen has been well-documented since it was revealed that Lewis Hamilton would leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025. Despite Verstappen’s firm commitment to staying with Red Bull next season, Wolff has persistently made public appeals to lure his top target.
The Austrian emphasized that Mercedes must produce a more competitive car, a goal they seem to be achieving with consecutive victories in Austria and Britain. Hamilton’s record-breaking ninth win at Silverstone was particularly significant as Mercedes triumphed on merit against Verstappen’s Red Bull and McLaren.
Nevertheless, Wolff has urged caution, insisting that the focus remains on further improving the W15. When asked whether Mercedes’ recent progress complicates the decision of who will partner George Russell in 2025, Wolff responded, “I don’t think it influences our thinking. I’ve always said we need a car that goes quick, and when we have a car that goes quick, we put the driver in, and we make it interesting for our main drivers.”
Wolff continued, “We need to stay calm, continue the season, and focus on the car. Then we can see if the options remain the same. But it’s not about changing everything.”
Despite his cautious approach, Wolff hinted that Verstappen, who finished second behind Hamilton, must have noticed Mercedes’ consistent progress. When asked if the recent performance would increase interest in the seat, Wolff replied, “I don’t know. He [Verstappen] had lots of opportunities to look at the car during the race.”
Verstappen acknowledged in Austria that Red Bull couldn’t ignore the possibility of being caught this season, calling it “normal.” He experienced a challenging weekend at Silverstone, struggling to keep pace with the Mercedes and McLaren cars in mixed conditions, though he performed better when the track dried.
“Over one lap, it didn’t look too bad,” Verstappen said. “I think it was just the race pace. We didn’t have the speed. I couldn’t match the degradation of the others, and that’s something we need to understand.”
As the season progresses, the competition intensifies, and all eyes will be on whether Mercedes can continue to close the gap and if Verstappen might reconsider his future amid Mercedes’ rising performance.
