Toto Wolff said that criticism from the commander of Red Bull, Oliver Mintzlaffabout your search for Max Verstappen “have no relevance” – since he denies “playing chess” with pilots Formula 1.
The Mercedes boss received scathing comments from Mintzlaff during the Miami GP weekend, with the energy drink company’s director not happy with Mercedes’ attempt to pry Verstappen away from his current team.
Mintzlaff told Bild: “I understand the pressure that Toto Wolff and perhaps other teams are under after years of delay. But I think Toto Wolff should focus on his challenges. He has enough of that.
“And it also has to do with respect. If I keep talking about people from other teams, that’s not right.”
Wolff was unmoved by what was said and suggested that what Mintzlaff was saying was irrelevant to him.
“I don’t know what this guy is talking about,” Wolff said. “It has no relevance to me.”
There were reports – which Wolff denied – that Mercedes had arranged a meeting with Verstappen and his representatives this week to discuss a potential 2025 deal.
Oliver Mintzlaff, Managing Director, Red Bull GmbH
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
However, Wolff made it clear that he continues to keep an eye on developments, although it is too early to be definitive about his team’s second driver’s plans for 2025.
“There are always a lot of meetings,” he said. “I can’t say anything definitive about the second driver. I think we’ve talked about the possibilities and I want to be fair to these guys and not make it seem like we’re playing chess with humans because we’re not doing that.
“We want to take our time, see where Max’s thinking goes and, at the same time, monitor the other drivers.
“Carlos [Sainz] It was very strong again today and that’s why we’re a bit in observation mode at the moment.”
While Mercedes waits to see what Verstappen decides in the end, their other obvious option is Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The young Italian was at the center of speculation over the Miami weekend about a possible move up to Williams soon, with the understanding that the team has applied to the FIA for an F1 super license exemption for him because he is under 18 years of age. age.
Wolff said Mercedes have no interest in him racing in F1 now as they want him to focus on doing his best in F2.
“So many stories have been created and it doesn’t help him at all because he needs to focus on his F2 campaign,” added Wolff.
“He is doing a lot of testing for us in order to perfect it and I think the decision on the second driver is still weeks, if not months away. We have not approached the FIA for early clearance.”
