Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) is reportedly at the top of the list of possible replacements for the seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2025, if available, according to the head of the German team, Toto Wolff, as reported by Reuters.
Verstappen, the winner of the world championship in the last three seasons, is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, but his future within the Austrian team is in question due to the strained relationship between his father, Jos, and team principal Christian Horner.
Mercedes will lose Hamilton at the end of this season, as the Briton will move to Ferrari, where he will replace the Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr, who won the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.
"We have a free spot, the only one at the top teams, unless Max decides to leave, and then the spot won't be available with us anymore," Wolff stated in an interview with Fox Sports Australia in Melbourne.
The interview, conducted after qualifying, did not receive widespread coverage at the time, but the comments from the Mercedes chief later drew attention.
When asked if Verstappen would be the number one choice, Wolff replied: "Yes. You see what his performance levels are, but I wouldn't want to neglect the others."
Wolff tried to recruit Verstappen when he was a teenager, before he signed with Red Bull, but could not offer him a place in Formula 1.
The Austrian also mentioned double world champion Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz Jr, and Formula 2 rookie Kimi Antonelli, supported by Mercedes, as possible options.
"Obviously there's Fernando, who is very exciting, and Carlos, very good. So there are a few options," he emphasized.
Max Verstappen has not ruled out a long-term move to Mercedes, but stated in Australia that he feels comfortable at Red Bull, his "second family," and it would be a great story to end his Formula 1 career with the Austrian team.
Mercedes, which dominated the Formula 1 World Championship between 2014 and 2021, failed to win any race last season and faced a double retirement in Melbourne, the first one since 2018.