MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has refused to rule out holding talks with Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen about a move from Red Bull to the Silver Arrows.

Rumours have swirled surrounding a potential swoop for the Dutchman amid turmoil at Red Bull following the fallout from allegations made against their principal, Christian Horner, involving "inappropriate behaviour". Horner denied the claims and was cleared by a probe, a decision which has been appealed.

It is the second time Wolff has declined to rule out a swoop for Verstappen, and comes just days after Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey announced that he would be leaving the team after 19 years in early 2025.

Wolff said "no team principal wouldn't do handstands" to sign Verstappen to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is heading to Ferrari next season. Added the Austrian: "There's always plenty of meetings. I can't really say about the second driver [at Mercedes].

"I think we've talked about the possibilities. I want to be fair to these guys and not make it look like we are playing chess with humans, because we are not doing that."

Wolff said Mercedes were also keeping tabs on Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who is set to be squeezed out of the famous Italian outfit by Hamilton's arrival.

"I think we want to take our time, see where Max's thinking goes, and at the same time, monitor the other drivers," he added. "Carlos was very strong in Miami again and that's why we are a little bit in an observation mode at the moment."

(c) 2024 City A.M., source Newspaper