Wolff leaves the door open still for Max Verstappen to join him at Mercedes

14:29, 25 Jul

Updated: 14:32, 25 Jul

byKada Sarkozi

Toto Wolff still keeps the door open for the arrival of the Dutch driver. Despite explaining that his preference to remain with his current line-up, he doesn't say that will 100% be the case.

For the first time over the media day on Thursday, Verstappen did admit to thinking about his future with Red Bull Racing. Together with that, talking to GPblog among others, he explained Christian Horner's dismissal will not influence his decision, even as one of his requirements has been met. The other one: sporting performance.

Talking to Sky Sports, the Mercedes team principal was once again questioned about the future of his drivers, as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are also yet to sign an extension.

Similarly to what he previously told ORF, he explained about a potential driver line-up of Verstappen and Russell: "This is all a long-shot, far-fetched. I want to stay with Kimi and George as it stands."

"Everything else is not realistic. If you have a Russell-Verstappen line-up, that's Prost-Senna."

Asked about whether then Russell will drive alongside Antonelli, he continued: "There is the largest of probabilities, [though] nothing is 100 per cent, that this will be the line-up next year."

Similarly to Russell, Wolff doesn't believe that the fact no contracts have been signed stands out. "It's completely normal. Every driver wants a better car and more money. That won't be a crucial part [of the negotiations]."

At the Austrian Grand Prix, Russell revealed Mercedes is in talks with Verstappen. "He triggered the media avalanche! Sometimes I'm maybe naive but I try to be transparent with the drivers and I said 'listen I have the obligation to explore what Max is doing in doing in the next few years'."

"And I think he came out with it to show that I'm aware what's going on and there's nothing happening behind my back, and I'm fine with that. I'm optimistic he [Russell] will sleep well over the summer break."

Wolff also asked about 'conspiracy'

A day ago, Russell was also presented by a question that whether Horner was dismissed because his comments put pressure on the Briton. "That's hell of a conspiracy," Russell said.

The Austrian also does not believe that's the case. "No. There is much more in the background that we probably don't know with Red Bull. Looking after drivers, in my position as team principal of Mercedes, I need to explore what Max is going to do in the next few years, not only next year."

As Verstappen said a day ago, the Mercedes team principal also doesn't see this influencing his decision about his future. "I think drivers will always seek the quickest car, much more than any monetary incentives. It's about the quickest car and analysing that. That's what Max and all the others will do."