Toto Wolff reveals what he teased Max Verstappen’s ‘greedy’ manager about during Mercedes talks

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Mercedes have missed out on their chance to sign Max Verstappen for the 2026 F1 season, yet the Red Bull racer remains on their radar for a potential move for 2027.

The Silver Arrows sounded out their chances of a deal to sign Verstappen earlier this year, as George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are currently still without contracts for 2026. Yet a move did not materialise, as the release clause in Verstappen’s Red Bull contract is not valid.

Verstappen confirmed “I’m staying” at Red Bull for 2026 at the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break, having had to start the shutdown fourth or worse in the 2025 F1 drivers’ championship. Russell sits fourth in the standings with a 15-point gap to Verstappen in third.

But the Milton Keynes natives remain at risk of seeing the four-time champion move in 2027 to Mercedes. The release clause in Verstappen’s £47m a year Red Bull contract is easier to activate next summer, as he will only have to rank outside the top two in the championship.

Toto Wolff told Max Verstappen’s manager he’d only have to pay 10% if Mercedes dominate in 2026

As next term also marks the start of the 2026 F1 regulations cycle with new engine, chassis, aerodynamic and tyre rules, the pecking order might reset. Mercedes are expected to have the best 2026 F1 rules engine, which may be huge with 50/50 electrical/combustion power.

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

In contrast, Red Bull are expected to struggle with their 2026 F1 rules engine, as the Milton Keynes crew design their first in-house power unit with Honda moving to Aston Martin. Red Bull established a technical partnership with Ford to gain its help in developing their engine.

So, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff even joked with Verstappen’s manager during their discussions about a transfer for 2026 that a delay until 2027 could play nicely into the Silver Arrows’ favour. The Brackley bunch being the best team can give Mercedes the upper hand.

Wolff admitted to De Limburger: “I told his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, that if we have the best car next year, we’ll only have to pay 10% of that €100million (£86.5m), ha ha.

“[Vermeulen replied], ‘You’re a cheap Austrian’. I replied that he’s a greedy Dutchman.”

Toto Wolff always knew 2026 was unlikely in Mercedes’ talks to sign Max Verstappen

Wolff always knew that Verstappen moving to Mercedes in 2026 was unlikely, given the Red Bull driver had to fall outside of the top three in the 2025 standings by this summer. A move in 2027 might become viable if the expectations for their 2026 engines are realised, though.

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

Mercedes may not be the only team interested in the 27-year-old if he can break out of his contract with Red Bull through the 2028 F1 season early, however. Ferrari will definitely be interested in Verstappen if Lewis Hamilton retires at the end of his contract there next year.

Verstappen would be the most coveted option should he ever hit the F1 driver market. The four-time reigning champion already ranks third for all-time Grand Prix wins (65), fourth for podiums (117) and fifth for pole positions (44) with hit rates of 29.15%, 52.47% and 19.73%.