I trust him: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff explains why he wants to make Max Verstappen team boss at Mercedes next year
In a surprising turn within the Formula 1 world, Toto Wolff, the team boss of Mercedes, recently expressed his confidence in Max Verstappen as a potential successor for his own role. The Austrian team boss, who has been a dominant power in sport for years, has stated in an exclusive interview that he sees Verstappen as the ideal candidate to take over the leadership of the Mercedes team in 2026. This announcement comes at a time when the Formula 1 is preparing for a new era with major rule changes, and the trust of Wolff in the Dutch driver speaks volumes about his capacities, both on and off the track.
Wolff’s statements are striking, given the rivalry between Mercedes and Verstappen’s current team, Red Bull. In recent years, Verstappen has dominated the sport with his unparalleled driving skills, which earned him three world titles. Yet it is not only his speed on the circuit that Wolff has convinced. According to the Mercedes boss, Verstappen has a unique combination of leadership, strategic insight and a winner’s mentality that makes him suitable for a management role. “Max is not only an exceptional driver, but also someone who can inspire and motivate teams,” said Wolff. “He understands the dynamics of a racing team and has a natural authority.”
The speculations about Verstappen’s future are not new, but the suggestion that he could play a role as a team boss is an unexpected turn. Verstappen, who is still in the prime of his career, has indicated that he is open to new challenges after his time as a driver. Although he is currently fully focused on winning races, he has hinted in interviews that he is interested in the strategic side of the sport. This makes Wolff’s confidence in him the more credible.
An important factor in Wolff’s decision is the upcoming change in Formula 1 regulations for 2026. With new engines and a focus on sustainability, the sport will undergo a technical revolution. Wolff believes that Verstappen’s experience with the complex hybrid technologies from Red Bull gives him a head start in understanding the new challenges. “We need someone who can not only win races, but also has the technical and strategic vision to lead a team through this transition,” Wolff explained. “Max has proven that he can do that.”
However, critics wonder if Verstappen, known for its direct and sometimes confrontational style, has the diplomacy needed for a management role. Wolff waves these worries away. “His directness is what makes him so effective,” he said. “In a sport like this you need leaders who are clear and don’t take a magazine. Max is someone who is always honest, and people respect that.”
The timing of Wolff’s announcement is also significant. With Lewis Hamilton who drives his last season at Mercedes before he leaves for Ferrari, the team faces a major transition. Attracting a figure like Verstappen, even in a future management role, would send a powerful signal about the ambitions of Mercedes. The team has been successful for many years under Wolff’s leadership, with eight constructors in a row from 2014 to 2021. Yet the recent dominance of Red Bull and Verstappen has changed the dynamics in the sport, and Wolff seems to be determined to bring Mercedes back to the top.
The future remains uncertain for Verstappen itself. His contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, and a switch to a management role at Mercedes would be a daring step. However, Wolff does not exclude the fact that Verstappen can already be involved in strategic decisions within the team. “We have been talking to Max about his vision for some time,” Wolff hinted. “He has ideas that perfectly match where we want to go.”
The Formula 1 community is tensioning with tension at how this development will unfold. For the time being, Verstappen will remain the star on the circuit, but Wolff’s confidence in him as a future team boss has fueled the speculations about his career path. What is certain is that the combination of Wolff’s strategic mastery and Verstappens could write a new chapter in the history of Mercedes.
