Remember when Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari and Red Bull members, including Christian Horner, jumped to comment on the situation? The dynamic between Mercedes and Red Bull has been the same for years. And now, Toto Wolff launches an attack on Christian Horner and Co. amid the instability at the team, as the Mercedes CEO reveals his improved relationship with a key Red Bull member.

Toto Wolff has been handed down, pursuing Max Verstappen with all his capabilities to fill in the void left behind by Lewis Hamilton. Amid this, multiple reports and rumors have come out about Verstappen wanting to leave Red Bull and being in talks with Toto Wolff. However, Red Bull’s managing director wasn’t too pleased by the Mercedes CEO’s efforts to bring up Verstappen’s Red Bull contract and rumored issue over and over again.

Oliver Mintzlaff asked the Mercedes Boss to look into his own matters and solve his teams’ problems first, to which Wolff replied that it was of no relevance to him. And now, Toto Wolff is back to launch another attack on the Red Bull MD. As per SN.at, when asked about his reaction to the criticism from Mintzlaff, Wolff replied, “I am not sure whether Mintzlaff fulfills what Dietrich Mateschitz expected of him in terms of his legacy.”

Mintzlaff was the one who was moved from the RB Leipzig role and made the MD of Red Bull GmbH. But ever since his arrival, there has been some rumored friction with the heads of the Motorsports team. The Red Bull Power struggle followed by Horner’s investigation has seemed to have made these issues worse. Regardless, Toto Wolff was then asked about his relationship with Helmut Marko, and he replied, “We have never gotten along so well because we now have the same interests. It can happen so quickly. We have had phases of getting closer, but now it is almost like a brother.”

A few days ago, when Marko was asked to comment on the Mintzlaff-Wolff situation, the Red Bull taskmaster stayed silent, despite never losing an opportunity to slam Wolff and Mercedes. Does this point to something else? There have been rumors of Helmut Marko moving to Mercedes. 

Helmut Marko is willing to help Max Verstappen make Red Bull exit

Ever since the Christian Horner investigation saga started at Red Bull, things have only gone south for the team in terms of personnel. Adrian Newey has already announced his exit, and now Verstappen and Marko are rumored to make exits too. Amid these rumors, it was revealed that in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract, which runs till the end of 2028, there is a clause that allows the Dutchman to leave the team early if Helmut Marko moves away.

As per reports, it is believed that Marko is ready to help Verstappen out of the Red Bull contract by resigning from the team. Toto Wolff, on the other hand, is believed to have met with Verstappen after Miami to discuss the contract, which includes an ambassadorial role at Mercedes and also the option to bring in Helmut Marko to the team. It definitely is a silly season, at least in terms of all the off-track, driver market talk going on.

What did you make of Toto Wolff’s attack on Christian Horner and Co.? Will the Mercedes CEO be successful in signing Max Verstappen? Share your thoughts in the comments.