Toto Wolff Opens Up on His Complex Relationship with Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has given a candid insight into his complex and intriguing relationship with Red Bull’s world champion Max Verstappen, revealing that he had attempted to lure the Dutchman away from his Formula 1 rivals. In a rare and honest interview with Dutch media ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Wolff shared that he had been in regular contact with Verstappen’s father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen over the summer, hoping to secure him as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes.
Wolff’s long-term pursuit of Verstappen could be attributed to his regret over missing out on the opportunity to sign him in 2014, when Mercedes was experiencing a purple patch of form. Instead, the team opted to retain Nico Rosberg and Hamilton, with Rosberg eventually leaving the team two years later after winning the title.
The bond between Wolff and Verstappen has not been without its challenges, particularly in 2021 when Verstappen won the championship against Hamilton in controversial circumstances at the Abu Dhabi finale. Another notable flashpoint occurred at the 2021 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where Hamilton and Verstappen collided on the opening lap, leaving Verstappen hospitalized and Hamilton taking the chequered flag.
“I’ve gotten on well with Jos for all my life, maybe because we’re a bit similar,” Wolff explained. “We had a very good relationship since Max became prominent on the single-seater radar. Probably our meeting in my living room in Vienna, before Max agreed to join Red Bull’s sister team Toro Rosso, was the first big Formula 1 meeting they did, and we had an understanding of how things should work for them and for us.”
However, their relationship took a hit after the 2021 British Grand Prix. “That season took a toll on all of us; it was intense. Each of us felt that things weren’t right,” Wolff said. “Where it really went wrong was after Silverstone. I made a mistake; I didn’t call Jos on the same day, which I should have done. I relied on the information that Max was fine, rather than picking up the phone and calling Jos like I would have done before.”
Wolff’s admission of his mistake and regret over not calling Jos Verstappen immediately after the incident highlights the complexities of their relationship. “For a year, and then obviously the disaster in Abu Dhabi – and the races leading up to Saudi Arabia – we weren’t in a good place. But we were kind of on the same wavelength in the year afterwards, so it went back into a good position, and it is today, for the last couple of years, as good as it was at the beginning.”
The Mercedes team principal’s comments have sparked interest, particularly given his relentless pursuit of Verstappen despite the Dutchman’s commitment to Red Bull. Wolff’s determination to capitalize on the discord within Red Bull, including Christian Horner’s involvement, has not gone unnoticed. As the Formula 1 calendar heats up, Wolff’s words are likely to raise eyebrows at Red Bull and may be seen as a ploy to unsettle his rivals as Mercedes edges its way back into contention.
“I think the rivalry over all those years, from 2017 onwards, was always healthy,” Wolff stated. “This is like rugby. You punch the other one in the nose on the field, but you’re able to then go to the pub, and that’s always how we maintain the relationships. So I’m not worried about them. We are competitors. We try to beat each other. Sometimes it’s going to be hard, but that’s okay. I think ’21 was not the kind of racing you would want to have.”
As the 2023 Formula 1 season unfolds, Wolff’s remarks will undoubtedly fuel the fire between Mercedes and Red Bull, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the on-track battles. With the Formula 1 standings still up for grabs, the rivalry between these two teams is set to intensify, making every race a must-watch for fans and enthusiasts alike.
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