Toto Wolff took immediate action to protect Max Verstappen relationship after Red Bull’s Canada protest

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The feud between Mercedes and Red Bull was reignited at the Canadian Grand Prix as George Russell beat Max Verstappen to win his first race of 2025.

The Brit took pole from the Dutchman and commanded the field to win on Sunday. But the pair were involved in controversy under the safety car in the closing stages after Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collided on lap 67.

Verstappen momentarily passed Russell under the safety car as he complained that the Mercedes driver was excessively braking. Red Bull warned the FIA before the Canadian Grand Prix that teams could use tactics to get the Dutchman a race ban – he is one penalty point away from a suspension.

The Milton Keynes outfit protested to the FIA, but it was thrown out five hours after the race. Russell’s radio proved his innocence as he was sticking to his delta time, which all cars are required to do under the safety car.

Mercedes came prepared to the stewards with evidence, as Verstappen’s data showed he was also braking excessively to stay in a positive delta. Team principal Toto Wolff was furious over Red Bull’s protest, claiming that their star driver would ‘never’ back such an action.

Toto Wolff ensured his relationship with Max Verstappen ‘remains good’ after Red Bull’s Canada protest

Red Bull mounted the ‘hopeless’ protest to keep Verstappen happy, as they are ‘still afraid’ that he could leave the team. Despite having a contract until 2028, his top-three exit clause could give him a way out at the end of the season.

Mercedes have been heavily interested in Verstappen for some time, and with the Silver Arrows yet to tie down Russell or Kimi Antonelli to new contracts, many believe Wolff is holding out for the four-time champion.

While the Austrian was quick to scold Red Bull’s protest in Canada, he made sure that he emphasised that Verstappen had no part in it. Journalist Frank Woestenburg says Wolff wants to make sure that his relationship with the Dutchman ‘remains good’.

“I think he would definitely want him. And speaking of Canada of course, we were just talking about that incident,” he said via the Paddock Praat podcast.

“Wolff was quite outspoken that he finds it pathetic that Red Bull, that they filed a protest. But he immediately said that didn’t come from Max himself because that’s not how Max is.

“So, he makes sure that the relationship remains good and, of course, there is something behind that.

“And if you then read that Russell can go to Aston Martin, then if I were Wolff, I would push him to the exit and immediately go to sea with Verstappen.”

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

Driver negotiations are heating up as Mercedes 2026 decision nears

The Formula 1 driver market is awaiting Verstappen’s decision for 2026. With Mercedes and Aston Martin interested, the Dutchman would spark chaos in the paddock if he did leave Red Bull.

Verstappen has ruled out a move to Aston Martin, putting Mercedes in pole position to land his signature if he becomes available. However, they are in a difficult position as their current drivers are performing at a high level.

Russell is winning races, while his teammate is displaying exceptional quality as an 18-year-old rookie. Mercedes have been warned they will ‘ruin’ Antonelli if they sign Verstappen for 2026.

Russell has been linked with Aston Martin as his future with Mercedes is currently uncertain. The Brit is surely the hottest free agent on the market right now, with even McLaren expressing an interest in Russell if Norris or Piastri were to leave.

Mercedes have deployed ‘classic’ negotiation tactics as they prolong Russell’s contract extension. Thereby, the interest in Verstappen dwindles, giving the 27-year-old the best opportunity to stay with the Brackley outfit.