Toto Wolff courted Max Verstappen throughout 2024 while looking for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who signed with Ferrari.
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The four-time world champion's future at Red Bull was not entirely clear, due to behind-the-scenes turmoil with the Horner affair as well as a drop in performance of the Austrian team.
However, the Dutchman, under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028chose to remain loyal to the team despite their difficulties on and off the track.
“There was never a plan”
Ultimately, Toto Wolff opted for Andrea Kimi Antonelli as George Russell's teammate for 2025. Speaking to German publication AMuS, the Mercedes boss said: “There was never a plan. We always talked and kept the line of communication open. »
“At one point he told me he wanted to stay where he was for now because it felt right. And I said we would go with Kimi, because that also seemed right to us. Now we'll see where it takes us.”he declares.
-Could Max Verstappen leave Red Bull in the future?
Despite speculation about his future, Max Verstappen has remained tight-lipped about leaving Red Bull. The driver sees Red Bull as his “second family” and wishes to remain loyal to the organization that offered him his F1 debut in 2015 with Toro Rossothe sister stable.
Speaking to Viaplay, Max Verstappen responded to the Mercedes rumors: ” With [Mercedes]of course, a lot was at stake, and they had to make a choice for a new driver. I have had great success with [Red Bull]and it just feels like a second family. »
“You can’t make the decision to leave very quickly. It's not like I wake up and say, 'Yeah, next year is over.' »
“I’m not someone who changes my mind very quickly. So you really have to think carefully about this kind of decision, if you want to make it”he concludes.
If Max Verstappen wanted to leave Red Bull, several teams would be ready to welcome him. Besides Mercedes, Aston Martin, which recently signed Adrian Newey and will collaborate with Hondacould become an attractive option for the Dutchman.
Also read:Jos Verstappen worried about Max's future at Red Bull
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