Toto Wolff opens up about his meeting with Max Verstappen to discuss his future in F1

Amid the speculation around Max Verstappen’s probable switch ahead of the 2025 season Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff speaks about its probabilities. After the Miami Grand Prix Wolff spoke to media and hasn't dismissed the idea of convening with Max Verstappen to explore the potential of taking over Lewis Hamilton's position at Mercedes.

While speaking to media he said, "There's always plenty of meetings. I can't say about the second driver at Mercedes. I think we've talked about the possibilities. I want to be fair to these guys and not make it look like we are playing chess with humans, because we are not doing that.”

"I think we want to take our time, see where Max's thinking goes, and at the same time, monitor the other drivers. Carlos Sainz was solid in Miami again, so we are a little bit in observation mode at the moment."

Will Max Verstappen leave Red Bull? 

Verstappen, securing second place to Lando Norris in Miami, has consistently emphasized his desire to pilot the fastest car within the optimal team environment. The crucial determinant of the 26-year-old's Formula 1 trajectory seems to hinge on which team he perceives as primed for success under the forthcoming 2026 regulations, expected to reshape the competitive landscape. 

According to Wolff, Verstappen is the pivotal figure in this season's driver market, pivotal for all teams in their strategic manoeuvres. He said, "As I said before, if I was him, I wouldn't leave, at least for 2025.” 

“But it's all in his… he's the leading the driver, he's the top guy at the moment and that's why it's for him to take those decisions. There may not be any decisions to take, maybe everything continues like it is, but that is then also guidance for us."