Well, take out your calendars and check off the first of the 24 races as the season opener in Bahrain is done and dusted. The first race bore similarities to the past and gave us a possible glimpse of the future. However, not just on the track, we’re talking off the track as well with Max Verstappen as the focal point. At least that’s what Mercedes boss Toto Wolff wants us to believe.
Now, everyone knows Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull till the end of the 2028 season. With four more years left on his contract and him enjoying the dominance he is with the Austrian team, it would be silly to talk about his future, right? Well, perhaps this is why it’s called the silly season.
Soon after Verstappen’s heroics in the desert, the Mercedes boss was spotted mingling with Verstappen’s father Jos in the paddock. We are not aware of the topic of conversation but you can take an educated guess. When asked if he was discussing Verstappen’s future with Mercedes, Toto Wolff simply replied, “Everything is possible”. We might witness an adverse reaction to Christian Horner‘s controversy as Verstappen might be willing to disassociate with the drama and betray the boss despite enjoying dominance with the team.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jos Verstappen and Toto Wolff have been seen talking in the paddock. When Wolff was asked, if Max might join Mercedes replacing Hamilton, he replied: "Everything is possible." #F1 #BahrainGP #F12024
More details (in german): https://t.co/tRxRVZctqo— F1-Insider.com (@F1insidercom) March 2, 2024
However, before making the suggestive statement, he also mentioned, “I have known Jos for 25 years – with ups and downs and I simply congratulated on his son’s achievement. Max is driving in a galaxy of his own.” (Translated via Google)
Although, this isn’t the first time Wolff has attempted to replace his outgoing world champion with another. It’s just that the current grid has a scarcity of world champions and not many can fill the massive shoes of Lewis Hamilton. Perhaps this is why Wolff has been weighing his two potential options.
Apart from Max Verstappen, Toto Wolff has been in conversation with Fernando Alonso’s camp
The Hamilton to Ferrari news has sent the Mercedes boss into hyperdrive and we have seen him earning his paycheck by meeting potential suitors everywhere in the world. He attempted to sign Verstappen and tried getting in touch with his camp, an attempt which was quickly ridiculed.
Soon after that, he was also spotted with Flavio Briatore, Fernando Alonso’s manager. The ex-boss posted a photo with Wolff from a cafe in Moncao. The topic of their conversation? We’re not certain but again, an educated would be that it had something to do with Alonso’s expiring contract at the end of the 2024 season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, with both Alonso and Verstappen, Wolff will have to prove/convince he has a car worthy of making either jump ship. In fact, Alonso made it clear with his statement about his future. He said, “If I want to keep racing, let’s see what the options are, my first priority will be always to sit down and discuss with Aston.”
After giving him the platform that Aston Martin did at the start of the 2023 season, the Spaniard wants to give the Silverstone-based team the benefit of the doubt and an opportunity to prove themselves. However, after the events of the Bahrain GP, his confidence might be a little shaken.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: Aston Martin’s Key Figure Reminds Fernando Alonso of Reality, Downplaying His Kingpin Role Despite Being a 2-Time Champion.
We are not sure who Wolff might be able to convince to drive for him in 2025, Verstappen, Alonso, or someone else entirely but sure is putting himself out there.