Toto Wolff ‘keeping the door open’ for Max Verstappen move to Mercedes due to 2026 engine stance

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The relationship between Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is set to be another talking point during the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Max Verstappen turned heads during the first day of F1 testing when he put his Red Bull at the top of the timing sheets during the morning session.

One of the most impressed figures in the paddock after Verstappen’s opening run was Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

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Wolff has been at the centre of a row between rival teams and the FIA, as many believe that Mercedes have found a compression ratio trick which could give four manufacturers an advantage in 2026.

However, after seeing the RB22 racing down the straights in Bahrain, Wolff declared Red Bull had the fastest car on the grid at this early stage of the campaign.

Mercedes have been linked with Verstappen for some time, and that interest delayed George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli from signing new contracts for this season.

Despite the current Mercedes duo being tied down until at least the end of 2026, Wolff is still keeping a close eye on Verstappen’s situation at Red Bull, and their new power unit might end up playing a role in his future.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Toto Wolff ‘keeping the door open’ for Max Verstappen to make Mercedes move

A report from Gazzetta dello Sport has shared more details about Verstappen’s future.

It’s believed that Verstappen could ‘choose to leave Red Bull’ at the end of 2026 if the Powertrains department doesn’t live up to expectations.

Red Bull poached dozens of engineers from Mercedes, which reports suggest meant that they were aware of the engine compression trick they’ve delivered, but potentially unable to replicate it.

If Verstappen were to decide to leave Red Bull, it’s believed that Mercedes would be ‘leading the list’ of teams hoping to secure his signature.

Is Toto Wolff playing mind games with Red Bull?

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On top of this, ‘paddock rumours’ suggest that while Mercedes should be the favourites in 2026 and Russell and Antonelli are ‘poised for a leading role’ this year, Wolff can’t ignore Verstappen’s potential availability.

It’s suggested that Wolff is ‘still keeping the door open for Verstappen,’ and is using a combination of ‘flattery and hope’ to try and convince the Dutchman that Mercedes should be his top option if he decides to abandon Red Bull.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff address Mercedes engine controversy from Bahrain testing

If the performance of Red Bull’s power unit is going to decide Verstappen’s future, then Mercedes need to make sure that they’re the market leader to secure the four-time world champion’s signature.

Red Bull could join protests against Mercedes before the Australian Grand Prix, which would add another level of jeopardy to a season where so much is going to change throughout the campaign.

Speaking on the first day in Bahrain about the engine situation, Wolff explained: “Sport is full of surprises, so there is never a situation where you can say you’re sure about anything.

“All along the process, obviously, when you design an engine, you’re keeping the FIA very close to the decisions you make. That’s what we did, and we have had all the assurances that what we did was according to the rules.

“It’s not even like we’re talking about some massive performance game and that’s what it was, but I think all of our competitors got a little bit aggrieved and lobbied the FIA for a long time and so far we trust in the governance of the body – that is the power unit advisory committee, and we will see what that gives.”