Toto Wolff Eliminates Max Verstappen’s Rumored Mercedes Move in the “Short Term”

It’s not a great time to be a Red Bull fan even though Max Verstappen is showing absolute dominance on track. The Christian Horner investigation has unleashed a storm on the energy drink team, and the tensions are at an all-time high. Horner had been claimed innocent by the investigation, but the leaks of his private conversations have raised many eyebrows.

After being claimed innocent, Horner has his eyes out for Helmut Marko, with the team director being accused of being the source of the leak. Red Bull may let Marko go which will unlock Max Verstappen’s exit clause for a premature transfer. But with rumors of Mercedes being the new team for the defending world champion surrounding the paddocks, Toto Wolff steps forward to clear out the air.

No immediate possibility of seeing Max Verstappen at Mercedes

About Helmut Marko’s risky position in the team, SoyMotor reported that Toto Wolff stepped forward after the Saudi Arabian qualifiers to say, “If the team loses Helmut, it would undoubtedly be a big loss for Red Bull. Helmut was or is our favorite enemy, but he is a true racer.“ Over the years, Marko’s direction has been a leading factor in Mercedes’ demise. At least in the last 3 years, that is. 

Talking about the possibility of Verstappen replacing Hamilton if the exit clause is triggered, the Mercedes Boss said, “We have a free seat for 2025 and 2026, but Max will want to drive for the team with the fastest car, and that is Red Bull today.” Understanding that Mercedes was not performing as well as he would have liked, Wolff continued to explain his affiliation with the Red Bull driver.

“We have been talking for ten years since he arrived in Formula 1. I have a good relationship with Jos and also with Max, but that does not mean that in the short term, we will see a change in the professional field,” said Toto Wolff, ending rumors of Verstappen’s move to the Silver Arrows. 

So what’s up with this loophole in Max Verstappen’s contract?

Currently, Max Verstappen’s contract runs till 2028 and it will only be after that when he can leave the team. But since the Horner investigation started, many Red Bull documents have surfaced and one of them states the Dutch driver’s exit clause.

Helmut Marko is the loophole that might make Verstappen break away from the winning team. According to the contract, The 26-year-old world champion can leave Red Bull if Helmut Marko is to leave the team. With Horner targeting Marko to be the perpetrator, things are volatile at Red Bull.

Read More – Max Verstappen Breaks Silence on Helmut Marko Suspension Rumors

That being said, what do you think will happen at the Red Bull garage? Will Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko stay in the team, or will this begin to be the end of the winning team?