AUGUST 23, 2026

Wolff leaves Verstappen door open for future

Toto Wolff says Max Verstappen's decision to stay with Red Bull was logical, but the Mercedes boss is still unwilling to rule out another attempt to sign him later.

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen
© Red Bull Max Verstappen

Speaking to Dutch media at Zandvoort, Wolff expanded on his initially awkward reaction to Verstappen's new contract through 2030.

It actually seemed logical to me that Max would stay at Red Bull, he said on Saturday.

Now we wait to see what happens in two or three years. When contracts expire again and who performs best then.

Wolff says the situation is very different from last year, when Mercedes and Verstappen were openly exploring whether a future partnership was possible.

Quite early on, we felt that it was the right decision for us to continue together with George and Kimi, he explained. A completely different situation than last year.

Back then, both parties were exploring whether collaboration would be possible or not.

Verstappen nevertheless remains connected to Mercedes through his expanding GT program, something Wolff clearly enjoys pointing out.

We have huge run-off areas at these races, he said at Zandvoort. The real racing is when you are driving against 150 other cars.

Those are truly the hero races.

Wolff also addressed his much-discussed repeat summer meeting with Verstappen in Sardinia.

We were just swimming, he smiled.

I think that over the past few years we have found a good way to have a relationship where we don't discuss certain things - especially those of a competitive nature.

Raymond, Jos and Max simply have the same way of thinking and philosophy as Susie and I do. We have good conversations.

However, these are not about what he should do or what I should do.

Wolff also believes Verstappen was right to stay because the longer the current regulations mature, the more likely the established top teams are to converge again.

The longer the regulations remain in force, the more the usual top teams - McLaren, Ferrari, ourselves, and also Red Bull - will fight for titles and victories again.

(GMM)