Wolff responds to rumours about Verstappen and Newey

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has dismissed speculation about an upcoming meeting with Max Verstappen's management. Rumours suggested a meeting was set to take place after the Miami Grand Prix, but Wolff says none of this is true.

According to F1-Insider.com, Wolff, Ineos boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Mercedes Benz CEO Ola Kallenius would enter into talks with Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen and his manager Raymond Vermeulen after the Miami GP. It was said to focus on contract negotiations, possibly even as early as 2025. However, Wolff denies this is the case.

Wolff dismisses rumours Verstappen and Newey

"No, that’s one of the rumours," said the Mercedes team principal when asked by Reuters about the alleged meeting. "People make up meetings, make up what’s happening with the drivers but these things should be behind closed doors and everything that’s been out there was not really the right thing."

Adrian Newey is also at the centre of the silly season: the designer and chief technical officer of Red Bull Racing is reportedly about to leave the Austrian F1 team. However, Wolff is not saying anything about possible plans to recruit the technical chief.

"Adrian Newey is an iconic engineer in Formula One with a great track record and again, also there are so many people talking about what he eventually might do and whether he leaves Red Bull or not. I’m just looking at it like a fan and watching that space," Wolff concluded.