Red Bull chief accuses Wolff of DISRESPECTFUL Verstappen poaching
Red Bull chief accuses Wolff of DISRESPECTFUL Verstappen poaching
Red Bull's Oliver Mintzlaff has slammed Mercedes and Toto Wolff for their public pursuit of Max Verstappen.
The news cycle in Formula 1 hasn't had a moment's rest since the bombshell news of Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
READ MORE: Ricciardo tipped to be REPLACED before next race
With the seven-time champion vacating his seat at Mercedes, the Silver Arrows have been desperately searching for a suitable replacement.
Inevitably, the team's gaze has fallen upon the reigning champion, Verstappen, who is on a quest to win his fourth consecutive drivers' championship and is looking to bring his team a third constructors' title in a row.
However, securing the Dutchman's services won't be a walk in the park. While Red Bull have undoubtedly been hit hard by the departure of design genius Adrian Newey, and rumours of other key figures leaving the team amidst controversies surrounding Christian Horner, Verstappen himself has recently expressed full confidence in the team's future.
Furthermore, the regulation changes that have thrown Mercedes on the back foot since 2022 wouldn't exactly entice the three-time champion to jump ship.
This hasn't deterred team boss Wolff, however, who seems intent on luring the Dutchman away from Red Bull.
READ MORE: Marko takes thinly-veiled swipe at Newey following Red Bull exit
Mintzlaff hits out at Wolff
Red Bull's managing director Mintzlaff has not taken kindly to Mercedes' pursuit of Verstappen, slamming Wolff for 'publicly flirting' with the three-time champion.
Acknowledging the pressure Wolff faces after years of trailing Red Bull, Mintzlaff emphasised that the Mercedes boss should focus on his own team's issues.
"I understand the pressure that Toto Wolff and perhaps other teams have after years of being behind," he told BILD.
"But I think Toto Wolff should concentrate on his challenges. He has enough of those.
"And it also has something to do with respect. If I keep talking about the personnel of other teams, that's not right."
With Verstappen locked into the longest contract on the grid, Mintzlaff expressed full confidence that the Dutchman would see out his deal.
"[Verstappen] is a thoroughbred racer and wants to win every race, every qualifying, and every training session. This connects us. It's in his and our DNA. And he finds the perfect conditions for this with us. We have created a unique setup, built the best car in Formula 1.
"Max still has a long-term contract here and hasn't said a word that he doesn't want to fulfil it.
"I'm not at all worried that he's considering a move. Things just have to calm down again now. That’s what Max wants – and that’s what we want too. You also need that, if you want to be successful in the long term in sport, whether in football or Formula 1."
When pressed on whether he could see any reason why Verstappen would leave Red Bull, Mintzlaff was unequivocal.
"No. At least I can't think of any," the Red Bull boss explained.
"Max wants the fastest car. We have this. Max wants to become world champion. With us, he has the best chances.
"And Max is a loyal guy. He knows that Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have always placed their trust in him. He appreciates that.
"In addition, Red Bull is simply a great brand that he can extremely identify with. So there are many reasons for staying – and none against."
READ MORE: Red Bull chief 'considering F1 future'
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner reveals Perez CHANGE after disastrous race in Imola
- 6 minutes ago
Verstappen admits swearing at F1 fan in astonishing exchange
- 1 hour ago
'Perez letting Verstappen down' - GPFans Emilia-Romagna GP Hot Takes
- 2 hours ago
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2024 results: Final classification with all penalties applied
- 2 hours ago
'Alonso is on fire. Literally' - Aston Martin star ridiculed after failure at Imola
- 3 hours ago
Vettel makes F1 RETURN in emotional moment
- Today 17:57
F1 Race Calendar 2024
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
-
GP JAPAN
5 - 7 Apr
Max Verstappen
-
GP CHINA
19 - 21 Apr
Max Verstappen
-
GP USA
3 - 5 May
Lando Norris
-
GP ITALY
17 - 19 May
Max Verstappen
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
- GP CANADA 7 - 9 Jun
- GP SPAIN 21 - 23 Jun
- GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun
- GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul
Related news
F1 2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied
Hamilton admits Mercedes on 'knife edge' amid struggles
F1 Race Today: Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix 2024 start time & TV channel
Channel 4 F1 highlights today: How to watch the 2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix FREE
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- AWS Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860