How Toto Wolff feels about signing Max Verstappen as George Russell edges closer to new £22.8m-a-year Mercedes deal

Max Verstappen’s problems at Red Bull could be seen as an opportunity for Toto Wolff to lure him to Mercedes beyond 2025.

Red Bull’s senior management were seen having crisis talks after the Bahrain Grand Prix, following a race which featured numerous complaints from Verstappen about tyres overheating, brakes, and pit stop procedure problems.

Verstappen encountered brake problems in qualifying with his Red Bull, then also suffered a similar fate in the race. Red Bull’s Christian Horner admitted they had electrical issues with the pit stop gantry, after their traffic light system delayed both drivers from exiting the box.

It follows a tough start to the season for Red Bull in which their car performance yoyos from being on race-winning form in Japan, to abject misery over the Bahrain GP weekend.

Verstappen has a get-out clause in his Red Bull contract that could see him leave if he drops out of the top three in the championship, and it was rumoured that opportunity could be at Mercedes. This could now change after a new report from Motorsport.com sheds like on George Russell’s future.

Toto Wolff changes stance on pairing Max Verstappen with George Russell

Wolff is no longer bound to an agreement he made with Lewis Hamilton regarding talks with Verstappen joining Mercedes, and their trouble at the start of 2024 coupled with the seven-time world champion’s exit is what initiated the rumours.

Verstappen would likely see Mercedes or Aston Martin as the viable alternatives, but the report from Motorsport states that Russell is likely to stay with the Silver Arrows.

It comes after a strong start to the season for Russell, in which he has finished in second on two occasions and held off Lando Norris under difficult circumstances in Bahrain.

Russell is expected to sign a two-year extension with an option for 2028 according to the report, and is believed to be worth $30 million per season.

It also states that Wolff liked the idea of pairing Verstappen with Russell, but changed his stance because he is satisfied with both the Briton and 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli who has been strong in his first races for Mercedes.

Max Verstappen could decide on Red Bull exit in the next four races

Verstappen’s future at Red Bull appears to be uncertain after a difficult weekend in Bahrain, in which the main weaknesses of the RB21 were on full display.

Red Bull has gone down a direction that he did not want them to, as evidenced by how Verstappen reacted to the Liam Lawson news and him being replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after two races.

Bahrain’s rough track surface having not been renewed since it made its debut in 2004, could be one of the key factors behind his struggles this year.

If the same issues that plagued their race in Bahrain are present in Saudi Arabia, Miami and Imola, it could see him drop out the top three in the Drivers’ Championship. Verstappen would then be able to initiate talks about his exit from Red Bull.