Toto Wolff shares what he noticed about Max Verstappen in 2025 Mercedes talks

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Mercedes have, temporarily at least, called off their pursuit of Max Verstappen. They’re set to field Kimi Antonelli and George Russell as their 2025 driver line-up instead.

Toto Wolff knows Verstappen will stay at Red Bull through to next year. The world champion has understandably been his number one target to replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

For a time, it looked as if a seismic move was feasible. The infighting between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko nearly drove the superstar driver out.

Marko’s departure would have triggered an exit clause in his contract. But in the end, the team principal repaired his relationship with the executive director, and Verstappen’s move to Mercedes fell through.

Antonelli has now signed a multi-year deal at Brackley, according to a report in Italy. With the teenager due to drive in FP1 at Monza next weekend, an announcement could be imminent.

If Verstappen makes himself available for the 2026 season, then Wolff will face a mighty dilemma. To sign the Dutchman, he’d either have to axe two-time race-winner Russell or prodigious young talent Antonelli.

Toto Wolff praises ‘no agendas’ Mercedes talks with Max Verstappen

Speaking to outlets including Motorsport.com, Wolff confirmed that Mercedes had held talks with Verstappen over a 2025 deal. But he also acknowledged that they’d been unsuccessful.

While he hopes that Russell and Antonelli can form a successful long-term partnership, he isn’t ‘closing the door’ on a 2026 move for Verstappen. Indeed, he has a ‘feeling’ that he’ll race for the Silver Arrows eventually.

Wolff also praised how the 61-time race-winner, together with his father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen, handled proceedings. He says there were ‘no hidden agendas’ in their negotiations.

“What I like with Max, Raymond and Jos is that we talk straight,” he said. “We don’t need to push each other. We have been in this too long; we’ve taken the decision for drivers for next year. This is what our full effort is going into.

“Hopefully that’s going to be the lineup for 2026 and beyond. But that doesn’t close the door on Max being with us in ’26 or beyond, because we want to still keep all the options open in the same way he does. So what I enjoyed in our conversations is there is never a hidden agenda.

“Somehow I have that feeling. But I don’t know when that could be. Whether it’s ’26, whether it’s three years later, I don’t know yet.”

What Eddie Jordan is ‘hearing’ about Max Verstappen’s future

The noises around Verstappen’s future may quieten in the next few months. But as the 2026 driver market begins, he’ll be front and centre.

On paper, Verstappen’s Red Bull contract runs until 2028. But his deal features multiple exit clauses that complicate matters.

Verstappen can leave ahead of the 2026 regulation changes should he desire. With Red Bull due to set up their own powertrains division, there would be an element of risk in staying put.

Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan is ‘hearing’ that Verstappen will join Mercedes instead. The Silver Arrows stole a march on their competitors when the sport introduced the V6 hybrids in 2014, and more major changes to the power units are on the horizon.