F1 News: Toto Wolff Speaks Out On Max Verstappen At Mercedes - "Ball Is In Our Court"

Mercedes is pushing for the best possible driver combination for 2025 after Lewis Hamilton switches to Ferrari.

Following Lewis Hamilton's announcement of his move to Scuderia Ferrari starting in 2025, Mercedes has initiated the search for his successor in light of this surprising development. When asked about the potential consideration of Max Verstappen as a replacement, Team Principal Toto Wolff refrained from dismissing the notion but expressed "how quickly the situation can change".

Fortunately for Mercedes, Hamilton's announcement has provided ample opportunity to assess the driver market thoroughly and select the optimal pairing. With Wolff indicating that the initiative now rests with Mercedes, there appears to be confidence in formulating a strategy that serves the team's interests effectively.

Wolff further disclosed that the responsibility now lies with the team to craft the fastest Formula 1 car on the grid, setting a precedent for drivers to demonstrate the possibilities achievable in both the immediate and distant future.

Speaking of Red Bull and Verstappen, the Dutchman is under contract until the end of 2028. With the kind of supremacy displayed by their title contender RB19, it would be tough to break their partnership. 

When asked if Verstappen would join Mercedes as Hamilton's replacement, he told the media:

“We will always try to have the best possible combination in our car and seek out these discussions.

“You can see how quickly the situation can change. At the same time, we respect contracts that exist.

“Drivers always want to be in the fastest car. It’s up to us to demonstrate that we can build the fastest car – not just in the short and medium term, but also in the long term. This will then lead to opportunities. The ball is in our court.”

While the notion of Verstappen joining Mercedes may appear improbable, there's a possibility of seeing unexpected drivers donning the Brackley team's colors, given Wolff's statement that he would not "exclude anyone at any time”.

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