Red Bull executive SLAMS Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over pursuit of Max Verstappen… saying he’s ‘not at all worried’ of the Dutchman’s departure
- Oliver Mintzlaff criticized Wolff for his public pursuit of Max Verstappen
- Verstappen could be affected after a recent big departure from Red Bull
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Red Bull director Oliver Mintzlaff criticized Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff for his very public attempts to bring Max Verstappen to his team.
Rumors of a possible Verstappen departure have gathered steam in recent months amid chaos within the Red Bull F1 team – including this week, when car designer Adrian Newey announced he would leave next season.
Mintzlaff, who is responsible for the Red Bull parent company’s ‘corporate projects’, including their sports teams, says he is not concerned about the Dutchman’s departure.
‘[Verstappen] is a thoroughbred racer and wants to win every race, every qualifying and every training session,” Mintzlaff told the German newspaper Image. ‘This connects us. It is in his and our DNA. And he finds the perfect conditions for this with us. We have created a unique setup, built the best car in Formula 1.
‘Max still has a long-term contract here and has not yet said a word that he does not want to honor it. I’m not at all worried that he’s considering a move.
Red Bull director Oliver Mintzlaff has publicly criticized Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff
Mintzlaff slammed Wolff for publicly trying to woo Max Verstappen to join the Mercedes team
Mintzlaff says Verstappen is ‘a loyal guy’ and there are ‘many reasons to stay’
‘It just has to calm down again now. That’s what Max wants and we want that too. You also need that if you want to be successful in sports for the long term, whether it is in football or Formula 1.’
Mintzlaff, previously CEO at RB Leipzig, also specifically mentioned Wolff by name.
‘I understand the pressure that Toto Wolff and perhaps other teams experience after years of being behind. But I think Toto Wolff needs to focus on his challenges. He’s had enough of that.
“And it also has something to do with respect if you keep talking about the staff of other teams, that’s not right.”
He added: ‘Like I said, Max wants the fastest car. We have this. Max wants to become world champion. He has the best chances with us.
‘And Max is a loyal guy. He knows that Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have always put their trust in him. He appreciates that.
‘In addition, Red Bull is simply a great brand that he can identify with enormously. So there are many reasons to stay, and none are against it.”