Mercedes boss steps on the gas

Wolff now speaks plainly in Verstappen poker

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff wants to seize the opportunity.(Bild: AP, krone.at-mrgrafik)

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirmed his great interest in Max Verstappen in an interview with "Fox Sports Australia" in Melbourne. For the Viennese, the three-time world champion is at the top of the list for a possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time Formula 1 champion is leaving Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the year. Verstappen actually still has a Red Bull contract until 2028.

However, the turmoil in the team following allegations of misconduct by an employee against team boss Christian Horner could open up room for an early departure. "We have a vacancy, the only one in one of the top teams - unless Max decides to leave, in which case he would be taken immediately," Wolff said unequivocally.

Toto Wolff(Bild: APA/AFP/Andrej ISAKOVIC)

A great story
Wolff had tried to sign Verstappen as a teenager, even before he signed for Red Bull, but he was unable to offer him a place in a Formula 1 cockpit straight away. Verstappen has not ruled out a move to Mercedes in the long term, but in Australia he said that he feels comfortable in his "second family" Red Bull and it would be a great story if he could also finish his F1 career there.

Wolff named double world champion Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Formula 2 rookie Kimi Antonelli as other possible candidates.