SHANGHAI, China — Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes Max Verstappen could still leave Red Bull before the end of his contract due to factors that run deeper than which team has the fastest car.
Verstappen’s on-track dominance this year means he is already on course to secure a fourth consecutive title with Red Bull, but turmoil within the team at the start of the season led to speculation he could leave the world champions before his contract expires in 2028.
“There’s so many factors that play a role for a driver joining,” Wolff said. “Clearly when you look at it from the most rational point of view you can say well, that’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver.
“But I don’t think that this is the only reason you stay where you are. I think, let’s say, for simple minds that might be the only reason why you stay in a car and that’s it.
“Maybe there is more depth to other people who consider other factors too and I think Max has depth.
“In that respect are we going to convince him? I don’t think it’s a matter of convincing.
“I think Max knows motor racing better than anyone and he will take decisions that he feels are good for him and I think a few factors play a role but he’s the one that’s going to trigger some more domino stones to fall afterwards.
“But everybody’s waiting for what he’s going to be doing.
“If I was Max, I would stay at Red Bull for 2025, but I’m not Max. It is the quickest car, but there are other factors.”
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Speculation Verstappen could leave Red Bull arose earlier this year after allegations of misconduct were made against team boss Christian Horner by a female employee — allegations he was later cleared of following an independent investigation.
The public nature of the story stoked divisions within the team, with Verstappen’s father Jos publicly questioned Horner’s position, while the role of Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, a close ally of the Verstappens, was also being questioned.
In the past month the matter has created fewer headlines, but when Verstappen was asked about his future at Red Bull beyond 2024 on Thursday, he again referenced the need for a “peaceful environment” at the team.
“After 2021, I signed a long deal with the team, and the only thing that I always said from the beginning is that we want to have a quiet and peaceful environment,” he said.
“Lately we have been talking about the car, so I am very happy about that, that we are talking about the performance of…
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