Toto Wolff makes shock Max Verstappen F1 revelation after breaking ‘promise’ to Lewis Hamilton

The Mercedes boss was eyeing a move for the Red Bull driver last year as a replacement for Hamilton

Toto Wolff promised Lewis Hamilton he wouldn’t pursue a move for Max Verstappen while the Brit was at Mercedes, as revealed in the new season of Drive to Survive.

The Mercedes team principal, who worked with Hamilton for 12 years, spent the first half of the 2024 season looking for a replacement for the Ferrari-bound driver.

Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso were among the contenders, with Wolff eventually opting to promote teenage prodigy Kimi Antonelli to partner George Russell this year.

Yet Wolff made no secret of his desire to sign Hamilton’s 2021 foe Verstappen – especially amid unrest at Red Bull at the start of last season – and details as such in season seven of Drive to Survive, released on Friday.

"So Carlos [Sainz] is somebody to look at, he's had some really good performances," Wolff says, in conversation with wife Susie.

"Fernando [Alonso], I mean, race pace, racecraft is still very good.

Susie replies: "You're not going to be starting a new era with a long contract with Fernando, it's an interim.

"You don't think Max is an option?"

Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 (Getty Images)

Wolff then responds: "I think he is. But, if you win all the races in a season, I think he is.

"I haven't spoken to him because I promised Lewis I wouldn't talk to him but I will have the conversation now."

Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season but has also been linked with a move to Aston Martin ahead of new regulations coming into force next year.

The 2025 F1 season starts with the Australian GP on 16 March, while season seven of Drive to Survive is released on Netflix on Friday.