F1 News: Toto Wolff drops Max Verstappen bombshell in Lewis Hamilton replacement search

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Wolff drops Verstappen bombshell in Hamilton replacement search

Toto Wolff could target Max Verstappen ahead of new driver search

Shay Rogers

Friday 9 February 2024 19:58 Updated: 19:53

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Toto Wolff could pursue Max Verstappen as he bids to fill the hole left in his Mercedes team by the departure of Lewis Hamilton.

The Brit departs the team after 12 seasons to join Ferrari, leaving an opening besides George Russell at the Silver Arrows for 2025.

You have to go back as far as 2016 to find the last time Wolff was forced to find someone to replace a departing world champion, when Nico Rosberg suddenly retired.

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With none of the paddock expecting Ferrari’s swoop for Hamilton to go through, could there be a possibility that Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull?

Lewis Hamilton has worked with Toto Wolff since 2013

Toto Wolff has a tough job ahead to find the right second driver for his team

Wolff: The ball is in our court

Quizzed by the media if a Verstappen move could be possible, Wolff left the door open for interpretation with his answer.

“We will always try to have the best possible combination in our car and seek out these discussions,” he said.

“You can see how quickly the situation can change. At the same time, we respect contracts that exist.

“Drivers always want to be in the fastest car. It’s up to us to demonstrate that we can build the fastest car – not just in the short and medium term, but also in the long term. This will then lead to opportunities. The ball is in our court.”

2024 will be an important year for Mercedes if they want to attract the right talent to their team.

Showing a positive development direction and clear path heading into the new era of technical regulations could make them front-runners to sign headline stealing drivers in the future.