F1 boss Toto Wolff admits Max Verstappen fear over Lewis Hamilton replacement

max verstappen, red bull, toto wolff, mercedes — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Wolff admits Verstappen fear over Hamilton replacement

The Mercedes chief made the admission on a recent podcast appearance

Tuesday 7 January 2025 20:00

Toto Wolff has admitted that a fear relating to Max Verstappen had an impact on his decision in picking out Lewis Hamilton's replacement.

Mercedes had a long time to consider Hamilton's successor, with the seven-time champion's move to Ferrari being made official in February of 2024,

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Yet, last season, after news first dropped regarding that 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 four constructors' titles.

Kimi Antonelli will replace Hamilton at Mercedes

Toto Wolff reveals Max Verstappen fear

Yet, Wolff has also opened up on the pressure that he felt when deciding who would fill the Hamilton void, revealing that he feared repeating a situation involving 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 admits 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 Toto Wolff Kimi Antonelli