Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says he has an “open communication channel” with Max Verstappen regarding a potential future with the team.
Wolff has abandoned hopes of signing the Red Bull driver for next season, and Mercedes are expected to confirm soon that Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli will race next season alongside George Russell.
But in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Wolff said he had talks this year with Verstappen and his management about a move for next season.
He admits it was a “long shot” but said he made the approach because “there was not a zero possibility” in the wake of the disruption at Red Bull – following allegations of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour made against team principal Christian Horner by a female employee.
“Red Bull was the dominant car at the beginning of the season,” Wolff says. “And that changed a bit. It’s Max Verstappen dominant at the moment.
“And the relationships were dysfunctional. I’m not sure they are back in a great place, but it is what it is. There was a moment, or there was an opportunity, to at least have conversations of what it could be in the future, and this is what we did.”
These talks took place despite the fact Verstappen is under contract at Red Bull until the end of 2028.
Source: BBC
