Achi news desk-
Max Verstappen after taking pole in Bahrain (Credit: AFP)
Wolff also mentioned double world champion Fernando Alonso, Sainz and Mercedes-backed F2 rookie Kimi Antonelli as possible options.
Max Verstappen would top Mercedes’ list of potential replacements for seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2025 if he were available, according to team boss Toto Wolff.
The triple world champion has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 but his future at the team has been clouded by a breakdown in the relationship between his father Jos and principal Christian Horner.
Mercedes loses Hamilton at the end of the season to Ferrari, with Sunday’s Australian GP winner Carlos Sainz losing his seat.
“We have a free slot, the only one in the top teams – unless Max decides he’s going and then the slot will no longer be free with us,” Wolff told Fox Sports Australia in an interview in Melbourne.
The interview, which took place after qualifying, was not widely reported at the time but the strong comments later drew attention.
Asked if Verstappen would be first choice, Wolff replied: “Yes. You see what his performance levels are but I wouldn’t want to rule out the others as well.”
Wolff tried to sign Verstappen as a teenager before joining Red Bull but Wolff could not immediately offer him an F1 seat.
The Austrian said he had a good relationship with Jos Verstappen and had met at the time in Vienna to discuss future possibilities but the driver already had an offer from Red Bull at that time.
“It’s the kind of relationship that needs to happen at a certain stage, but we don’t know when,” he said when asked if signing Verstappen could close a circle.
Wolff also mentioned double world champion Fernando Alonso, Sainz and Mercedes-backed F2 rookie Kimi Antonelli as possible options.
“Obviously there is Fernando, who is very exciting, and Carlos, very good. So there are some,” he said.
Verstappen has not ruled out a move to Mercedes in the long term but said in Australia that he is comfortable in his “second family” Red Bull and that it would be a great story to finish his F1 career with them.
Once dominant Mercedes failed to win a race last season and suffered a double retirement in Melbourne, the first since 2018.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Reuters)
