Max Verstappen has downplayed the ongoing speculation surrounding a potential move to Mercedes, responding to claims made by Toto Wolff that they held talks about the possibility. Speaking at the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen brushed off the rumors, insisting he has no recollection of any such meeting.
During a press conference following the qualifying session at Zandvoort, Verstappen was asked to address Wolff’s statements regarding discussions about a future with Mercedes. However, the Red Bull star remained tight-lipped, simply responding, “Which meeting?” When pressed further on whether he or his management team had engaged in talks with Wolff, Verstappen added, “I don’t remember.”
The speculation comes in the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari in 2025, which has left Mercedes in search of a top-tier driver to fill the void. Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, has made no secret of his admiration for Verstappen and his interest in bringing the three-time world champion onboard. Despite this, Verstappen’s recent comments suggest that he is firmly committed to Red Bull, with his future at the team appearing more secure than ever.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has previously criticized Wolff’s public praise of Verstappen, accusing him of using “distraction tactics” to unsettle the team. Horner suggested that Wolff’s comments were an attempt to divert attention away from Red Bull’s focus and create unnecessary noise around Verstappen’s future.
When asked if Wolff should stop talking about him, Verstappen remained diplomatic, stating, “No. I mean, everyone can say what they want. I get along very well with Toto. I think he’s open about what’s happening within the team. Also, I think with the driver lineup and stuff, there’s nothing wrong with that. At the same time, I just focus on my job; there’s a lot to do anyway. We just focus on that.”
As the speculation continues, it appears increasingly likely that Verstappen will remain with Red Bull, while Mercedes looks to the future with young talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli potentially making his Formula 1 debut as Hamilton’s replacement.
