Verstappen to go to Mercedes in 2022? 'He'll be on every team's list'

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F1 News

3 March 2021 at 09:55
Last update 3 March 2021 at 12:28
  • GPblog.com

For the fifth season in a row, Mercedes has chosen Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton as its driver duo, but with their contracts expiring, Toto Wolff has his pick of the bunch for 2022. Max Verstappen is on that shortlist.

Mercedes have made few changes to their line-up since the departure of Nico Rosberg. Bottas has duly filled the role of second fiddle at Mercedes, despite pressure from Esteban Ocon and George Russell. At the end of 2021, however, all contracts expire, and Wolff has the luxury of choosing from his own, as well as other drivers.

Verstappen to Mercedes?

''Our priority and loyalty is of course with our current drivers. If we were to start flirting with other drivers at this point, it would certainly be the wrong moment. The first discussion will be with our two drivers, to see how they envisage the future together,'' Wolff told Sky Germany.

However, the Mercedes team boss does not rule out the arrival of Verstappen. ''From Max you can say that he will be on the list of any team. His performance in recent seasons speaks for itself. However, we will first see if we can work it out with our current drivers, and only then what the possible alternatives are,'' the Austrian concluded.