Mercedes chief Toto Wolff says it’s astonishing that he’s having to address rumours of Max Vertsappen potentially leaving Red Bull to join Mercedes, with the season just a few weeks old. He’s ruled out a move for the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, who has made it clear he’s enjoying this season’s Red Bull car.
Mercedes have a long-standing interest in Verstappen, stretching back long before his F1 debut, but were beaten to his signature by Red Bull. There’s been specualtion online linking Verstappen with a sensational move to Mercedes, having spoken out about his unhappiness on several occasions, even hinting at possible retirement from the sport.
Wolff told OE24: « The astonishing thing is that these silly rumours are already surfacing in March. It’s silly enough that you normally have to discuss these things in July. I don’t know who brought this up again.
« We have two drivers with whom we have long-term, multi-year contracts. I could not be happier with either of them. Both are delivering top performances.
« So, there is absolutely no reason to even consider a line-up change, or other drivers. I say this with the utmost respect for Max. »
But former Sauber and Jaguar driver Herbert, who was a regular fixture on the F1 grid during the 1990s, reckons that Russell might be released by Mercedes sooner than expected.
Herbert, speaking on the Stay On Track podcast alongside Damon Hill, said: « I’ve heard little rumours again that with Max not being very happy where he is… is he going to be taken by Mercedes, which means they are going to get rid of George. »
Hill responded: « So George is always temporary. » Although both Russell and Antonelli have secured victories and runner-up finishes this season, the Briton holds a four-point advantage over his team-mate in the Drivers’ Standings thanks to his sprint race triumph in China.
Antonelli finished behind Russell in second place in Australia before claiming victory in the season’s second race at the Shanghai International Circuit. And 1996 F1 world champion Hill has raised questions about whether Antonelli, 19, has now leapfrogged Russell to become Mercedes’ preferred driver.
« Kimi is Toto’s protégé, if you like. He’s put his reputation on the line to get this guy in, » Hill said. « Kimi doesn’t want to let him down, but at the same time, he’s thankful to Toto, and Toto’s delighted that he’s now won a race.
« Meanwhile, George has been trying his very best to impress them for now I don’t know how many seasons. It got to a point last year where they had to re-sign and it went on a bit. It wasn’t like Toto was desperate to re-sign George. »
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