Wolff: 'Verstappen is my first choice to sign at Mercedes'

Toto Wolff makes it clear that Max Verstappen is his first choice to fill the open seat at Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton's departure. Due to the long history between the two, a collaboration seems almost insurmountable.

In an interview with Fox Sports Australia, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff talks about the time he was close to signing Max Verstappen. This was even before the Dutchman signed with Red Bull. Wolff saw how well Verstappen was doing in Formula 3 and was keen to tie him to Mercedes. At that time, he could not offer him a Formula 1 seat, but only a Formula 2 seat. This was not enough for the Dutchman, as Toro Rosso (now known as VCARB) did allow him to step straight into Formula 1.

The Austrian team boss says he has a good relationship with the triple-world champion's father, Jos Verstappen. Partly because of this and the past the two men have, Wolff is open to signing Verstappen. This would be a full-circle moment for him. "It's a kind of relationship that needs to happen at a certain stage, but we don't know when," the 52-year-old said.

In the interview, Wolff is asked if Verstappen is his first choice for the empty seat at Mercedes. He answers honestly: "Yes. You see what his performance levels are, but I wouldn't want to discount the other ones, too," Indeed, many more drivers are vying for a seat at the Brackley-based team. Wolff is in talks with young talented drivers as well as experienced ones.