Toto Wolff has surprisingly told Max Verstappen to stay at Red Bull for at least one more year, despite indicating he would like the Dutchman to join Mercedes.
The Dutchman has been in a league of his own over the past three years in F1 and already looks on course to win a fourth consecutive world title.
He romped to victory once again at the Chinese Grand Prix and has secured pole position in every qualifying session this season.
Attention is already being shifted to next year where the F1 grid is set to look vastly different as Lewis Hamilton moves to Ferrari.
There are only a small number of drivers signed up for 2025 and beyond and Verstappen is one of them.
Max Verstappen has won four of five races this season
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However, that hasn't stopped Wolff from speaking out on the prospect of Verstappen replacing Hamilton at Mercedes.
The 52-year-old has admitted that Mercedes are yet to hold proper discussions with Verstappen about a possible move.
"We're having conversations with a lot of riders to explore the possibilities, so that's not really surprising.
"And for Max, we haven't gotten to the point where we're discussing yet."
Wolff was then asked whether he feels Mercedes have a genuine chance of stealing Verstappen from Red Bull.
He said: "If I were Max, I would still drive for Red Bull in 2025, because it is the fastest car. But there are also other factors."
The Mercedes team principal concedes the ball is ultimately in Verstappen's hands on what he wants to do beyond this year.
"There are so many factors that play a role in bringing in a driver," Wolff said.
"And if you look at it from the most rational point of view, you can saying that the fastest car is in the hands of the fastest driver.
"But I don't think that's the only reason why you stay where you are, because maybe there is more depth to it and there are also other factors for some people.
Toto Wolff has already been speaking to a number of drivers
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"Are we able to convince Max? I don't think it's a matter of convincing. "He'll make decisions that he thinks are good for him.
"And I think a few factors come into play, but he's the one who will then drop a number of dominoes.
"But everyone is waiting to see what he will do."
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Toto Wolff has made no secret of his desire to take Max Verstappen
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He added: "I don't think anyone can sell anything to Max, Jos and Raymond (Vermeulen).
"I believe it is a matter of that they have a sense of where the future is best for them, taking into account a lot of factors.
"But we are in a good position for 2026. We have had no problems with the targets for the power unit, the battery and for the fuel, I think that we can make a decent chassis at a good value."
