Helmut Marko has ‘gratefully declined’ Toto Wolff’s offer to join Mercedes after the Red Bull advisor was cleared of all wrongdoing following an internal probe. This has thwarted the Silver Arrows boss’ aim to capture Max Verstappen’s services for the 2025 season.
Wolff was left with a gaping void in his driver lineup when Lewis Hamilton opted to join Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season, but the Mercedes team principal was given a wonderful opportunity to find the perfect successor when Verstappen’s future at Red Bull was jeopardised.
After qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Marko acknowledged that he was being investigated by the Red Bull organization and that he faced a ‘theoretical probability’ of being suspended. In retaliation, Verstappen vowed to leave the team if his closest ally was removed from his position.
Wolff took advantage of the chaos and invited Marko to join the Silver Arrows if he was defeated by the incumbent champs. “We’re missing our old mascot anyway,” he told Austrian TV ORF.
“Then let’s simply take Helmut. He’s the correct age. He does not have a red cap, yet he will come to us. Helmut is not a sad child and was – or continues to be – our favourite antagonist. But he is an actual racer. If they lose Helmut, it will undoubtedly be a loss for Red Bull and the team.
However, following a meeting with managing director Oliver Mintzlaff on the morning of the Saudi Grand Prix, Marko was cleared to remain in his post, putting an end to rumours regarding his future. Marko told F1-Insider about Wolff’s offer: “That’s very nice, but at the moment, I can gratefully decline this offer.”
With Marko’s future secured, Verstappen’s chances of leaving Red Bull are slim, meaning Wolff will most likely have to go elsewhere as he prepares for life without seven-time world champion Hamilton.
However, the team principal was always realistic about his chances of signing Verstappen. “I’d love to have him, but first we need to sort out our car,” Wolff remarked after the Saudi Grand Prix. “I think we owe it to our drivers George [Russell] and Lewis to improve the car, and give them equipment that is good, before dreaming about the future.”
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