Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff confesses shock Max Verstappen signing FEAR

Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen — Photo: © IMAGO

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Wolff confesses shock Verstappen signing FEAR

The Mercedes chief made the admission on a recent podcast appearance

Simmey Hannifin Donaldson

Tuesday 7 January 2025 13:57

Mercedes Formula 1 chief Toto Wolff has revealed a huge Max Verstappen fear when it came to choosing Lewis Hamilton's replacement at the team.

With 2025 now upon us, Hamilton's move to Ferrari has been made official, with the seven-time champion's debut in red now said to be just days away.

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Yet, last season, after news first dropped regarding his blockbuster transfer, Wolff was left looking for a replacement for his star man.

That was no easy feat given Hamilton's highly successful 12-season stint with the team, which included winning six drivers' championships and eight constructors' titles.

Kimi Antonelli will replace Hamilton at Mercedes

Wolff reveals Verstappen signing fear

Mercedes junior driver and 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli was chosen to replace Hamilton, with big pressure no doubt on his young shoulders as we head into the 2025 season.

However, Wolff has also opened up on the pressure that he felt when deciding who would replace Hamilton, and that he feared repeating his mistake with Verstappen where he missed out on signing the Dutchman prior to his F1 debut.

"It was a curve ball thrown at us, and it still feels weird that he's going to wear Ferrari overalls and drive the red car," Wolff explained on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast.

"It's just a bit surreal. But we had this 17-year-old in the pipeline [Antonelli]. I didn't want to miss out on him, like I did with Max [Verstappen] back in the day, I didn't have a car, so that is all falling into place."

Wolff also admitted that he understood why Hamilton made the decision to leave the Silver Arrows.

"I can kind of get where he's coming from," Wolff added on Hamilton.

"Because we weren't successful. Our car was not quick enough.

"Certainly he had a mega offer on the table - every Formula 1 driver wants to drive a Ferrari."

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Aston Martin Toto Wolff