Wolff Doesn’t Rule Out Verstappen for Hamilton’s Spot, Aims for “Best Possible” Driver Pairing
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff did not rule out the possibility of Max Verstappen filling the shoes of Lewis Hamilton, who unexpectedly decided to join Ferrari from 2025. Faced with Hamilton’s unexpected move, Wolff expressed his determination to “.” The best driver combination in the German team.
Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes has prompted the team to look for a new teammate for George Russell, and Wolff has not ruled out the possibility of current Red Bull driver Max Verstappen stepping down. Team principals acknowledge that F1 is a dynamic world and things can change quickly.
Wolfe emphasized that when signing short-term deals, as was the case with Hamilton, the team is aware of the challenges and opportunities that come with it. He stressed that Mercedes respects Hamilton’s decision and is now focusing on building a competitive team for the 2024 season.
“We are adults and we understand that signing a short-term deal can be beneficial for both parties. We cannot commit long-term and he has the option to leave. We fully respect that he can change his mind. These are different circumstances. A switch to Ferrari, maybe “Because of the last performance of his career, maybe it was a bit risky. I understand the decision,” Wolff said.
As for Max Verstappen taking Hamilton’s place, Wolff has not yet closed the door. He emphasized that the team is committed to finding the best driver combination, which may include evaluating all available options.
“We didn’t discuss whether the opportunity was better there or with us, because I don’t think he could tell. After all, he is the most successful driver. We had an exciting time and journey together, which is a delivery Enter the history books and Mercedes history books ” added Wolff.
Changes in the F1 driver market are an integral part of the sport and adapting to unexpected changes is vital. Wolff emphasized the importance of agility in F1 and how teams react to these changing conditions.
With the F1 world anxiously awaiting further developments, including the selection of Russell’s new team-mate, and Mercedes committed to a successful 2024 season, unexpected challenges could arise.