Toto Wolff is tasked with finding a suitable replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who shocked everyone in February by announcing that he would be leaving Mercedes at the end of 2024.

Numerous rumors have surfaced regarding potential candidates for the position. Esteban Ocon and Mick Schumacher have both been mentioned, but F2 driver Kimi Antonelli has emerged as a front-runner after testing the W13 around Imola.

A strange name has been added to the mix in the last few months: Max Verstappen.

Is Verstappen planning to join Mercedes?

The Milton-Keynes-based team signed the Dutchman to an extension in 2022, tying him to the team through 2028. But in the middle of all the drama and attention Red Bull has been receiving since the season began, there have been growing rumors that Verstappen is planning to leave the team. With the recent announcement that famed engineer Adrian Newey is leaving the company after nearly two decades, these rumors have only become louder.

Verstappen has, however, insisted that he will not be leaving Red Bull anytime soon. Wolff’s public acclaim for the Dutchman, in which he claims to be at the “top” of the field of drivers and to have met with him, has continued despite the confirmation. Oliver Mintzlaff, managing director of Red Bull, took issue with his compliments, saying:

“Toto Wolff ought to focus on his obstacles, in my opinion. He’s had enough of those.

Additionally, it has to do with respect. It would be inappropriate for me to continue discussing the players on other teams.

“I want to go against the best,” said Russell.

Even though it seems unlikely that Verstappen will join Mercedes anytime soon, George Russell expressed his support for the three-time world champion joining Mercedes and teaming up with him:

To Autosport, Russell responded, “I’d be all for it.”

Lewis had been a part of Mercedes for a long time, so entering the team in 2022 on the heels of his illustrious years and achievements was no small feat for anyone.

“I feel that having Lewis as my teammate for the past three years has helped me believe in myself. You need to go up against the best in the same machinery and show what you have got.” He’s been a fantastic driver and teammate.

I believe it’s fair to say that we push each other every single week, therefore I’ll welcome Max and want to compete with the greatest. Everyone aspires to demonstrate their abilities, so let them.