Toto Wolff has stated he’ll cease “flirting” with Max Verstappen as he offers “most assist” to Mercedes’ 2025 F1 drivers.
Wolff has been vocal in his curiosity in signing Verstappen since Lewis Hamilton’s shock swap to Ferrari was introduced in February.
Nonetheless, with Verstappen unwilling to depart Purple Bull, Mercedes have promoted wonderkid Andrea Kimi Antonelli alongside George Russell for the 2025 F1 season.
With Verstappen seemingly not an possibility – not less than for now – Wolff has stated he’ll cease together with his public affection in the direction of the Dutchman.
“We’re sitting again,” he informed Motorsport.com. “I believe I’ve expressed it earlier than, and we now have the same view additionally from Max’s facet: you have to put religion in your drivers or in your staff. You want to give it the utmost assist you’ll be able to to make it a hit. And provided that issues go actually improper, you’ll take into account different alternatives.
“For me, it is like flirting exterior while you are making your relationship work. It does not work, I am not flirting exterior.
“Provided that I need to have a change, or take into account a change, I’d search a dialog. And it’s the identical on his facet. We’re fairly aligned in our values on that I believe.”
Wolff has insisted that Russell and Antonelli will obtain the “identical assist” and that “nothing adjustments” now Hamilton has left.
“We do not make an enormous distinction,” he added. “Emotionally, we give them the identical assist. Nothing adjustments.
“Each prime driver in F1 is aware of that he must compete towards their team-mate, whether or not he is younger or previous. George’s teammate has been Lewis Hamilton, the best driver of all time, for 3 years.
“So he can be simply positive competing towards one of many youngest, who is available in with nice expectations.”