Toto Wolff names four drivers on Mercedes shortlist to replace Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes’ Toto Wolff has revealed Max Verstappen is his number one pick to replace Lewis Hamilton for 2025, but has other names on his shortlist.

With a major seat opening up for 2025 as Lewis Hamilton departs Mercedes for Ferrari, Toto Wolff has said he wants to make a relationship with Max Verstappen happen.

Toto Wolff: ‘Extraordinary’ Max Verstappen top of the list
With Max Verstappen’s relationship with Red Bull somewhat rocky at the moment following the recent turmoil that has enveloped the Milton Keynes-based squad, rivals like Mercedes have put feelers out to capitalise on the uncertainty that appears to exist within the Verstappen camp.

In Bahrain, with tensions running high between Jos Verstappen and Red Bull boss Christian Horner, Toto Wolff was seen engaging in conversation with the three-time World Champions’ father and Wolff has since revealed the rivalry of 2021 has been put behind them.

With a chance, however slim, of Mercedes managing to successfully tempt Verstappen away from Red Bull for 2025, Wolff has made it very clear the Dutch driver is at the top of his shopping list.

Speaking to Australia’s Fox Sports in Melbourne, Wolff said: “It’s the kind of relationship that needs to happen at a certain stage. But we don’t know when.”

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Asked straight out whether Verstappen is his number one pick for the vacant Mercedes cockpit, Wolff confirmed: “Yes, I mean, you see what his performance levels are. But I wouldn’t want to discount the other ones too.

“I think we’ve got to look at ourselves and [ask] what is it we can do with this car. Then it becomes much easier, whoever drives the second car, it’s become much easier for George [Russell] because he has the potential of being a World Champion and so much more.

It’s the team’s problem to solve really, rather than looking for a silver bullet with an amazing driver.”

With the W15’s potential promising but proving tricky to unlock, Wolff said he doesn’t believe having Verstappen at the wheel right now would make any difference to the team’s fortunes.

“No, I think he’s extraordinary, but we would give him a car that’s a handful, and difficult to set up and drive,” he said.

“I’d rather make that step and be out there and say, ‘This is a car you could drive because it’s also going fast’.”