Why Wolff has no interest in Verstappen

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Max Verstappen is 'happy where he is' and ruled out making a move for the Dutchman.

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton has signed a two-year contract extension at Mercedes but the identity of his team-mate remains unknown for next season, with George Russell and Valtteri Bottas the two candidates.

On a rolling one year contract, Bottas is not unfamiliar with speculation over his seat but with Williams driver George Russell also out of contract, the 23-year-old also a Mercedes young driver, the questions are significantly louder than in past years.

Verstappen has risen through the junior ranks with Red Bull and finds himself in a tight championship battle with Hamilton.

Asked in an interview including GPFans Global if Verstappen was of interest to the Silver Arrows, Wolff said: "I think that Verstappen and his entourage are very happy where they are.

"Red Bull is their team and is their home, and why not keep it like that? I think we have our plans with our drivers, and Ferrari has a great line-up, and Lando Norris at McLaren looks pretty settled, so I think the trajectory is set.

"We're not looking for a driver."

F1 racing will resume at Spa Francorchamps with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps between August 27-29 and Wolff hopes a decision on drivers will have been taken by this point.

"We want to take the decision in the summer [break]," confirmed Wolff.

"There are a variety of opinions also within the team and the Daimler board, and we just need to stick our heads together and say, 'Okay, what is everybody thinking?'"

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