Wolff still predicts partnership with Verstappen after new Red Bull contract

That Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff have a very good relationship became evident during the summer break. Just like last year, photos leaked of the Wolff family and the Verstappen family vacationing together in Italy. A transfer was not discussed there. "We were only in the water. We were kind of paddling along," the Austrian laughed in response to a question from GPblog.

On a more serious note: “I think we found a really good way over the years in having a relationship where there's some things we discuss. And then there's others which are competitive in nature which we don't. But I think, in terms of the racer mindset between, Jos, Raymond and Max and myself and Susie, we don't bullshit each other. There is the same mindset and same philosophical approach about racing. So we can have open conversations, but they are not about what he should do or I should do."

In any case, Verstappen will not go to Mercedes in 2027. After months of speculation, he put an end to that last Thursday in Zandvoort. Not only will the Dutchman remain with Red Bull Racing in 2027, he also extended his deal through the end of 2030. So, the four-time world champion is also not retiring - a scenario that also hung in the air for a while.

Toto Wolff did not expect the Dutchman's F1 retirement. He said so during a candid conversation with a very small group of Dutch media when asked whether it surprised him that Verstappen is staying in the sport. No. I think that the longer, the more regulations mature, the more the teams will catch up, Wolff told, among others, GPblog.

A couple of years ago, Wolff said the chances were 50/50 that Verstappen and he would ever work together. Now that Verstappen is tied to Red Bull for the coming years, the likelihood that he will ever drive for the Germans seems slim - especially with the Dutchman’s remarks in Zandvoort in mind.

Asked about his earlier words, the Austrian now said: "George [Russell] and Kimi [Antonelli] was the right decision to continue. For various reasons, it seems that the lineup just has the right positive dynamic. It allows Kimi to grow and for George to bring out his best game, because he's a quick young teammate.

A year ago, Verstappen’s move to Mercedes was close. There were talks about a switch back then. This year, there weren’t. "I think pretty early in the late spring, it was clear that we would continue like we do, and we had an open and in a way most transparent relationship as we can have. So the situation was very different to what it was last year, where both sides were exploring whether cooperation could happen or not," Wolff said in Zandvoort.

Moreover, Verstappen’s and Wolff’s paths have, in a way, crossed."Well, they've crossed already with the GT racing," Wolff pointed out. "I think when we jointly developed that program a year and a half or so ago, it seemed a long shot. It seems to be a long shot because Red Bull will never allow Max in a Mercedes GT3, and they were open minded. We're thankful for that because the project's been a success, the Red Bull Mercedes. And so we have these joint corporations between the two brands and Max. And that's nice to see that it's successful.