Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff may have to postpone his wish to sign Max Verstappen for this season.
Wolff tried very hard to get the Red Bull driver to switch to the Sliver Arrows last season and it seems he is still trying to get the four-time champion on board.
After Verstappen’s incident with George Russell in the Spanish Grand Prix, many expected Wolff to be bold and aggressive in his responses to the incident.
However, the Mercedes boss was very diplomatic when questioned, likely trying to maintain a good relationship with the Dutchman amid Red Bull’s struggles.
Max Verstappen has had a tough time this season
ReutersRussell has yet to sign a new contract with Mercedes and there are serious question marks over whether or not he will put pen to paper.
Kimi Antonelli is a star of the future but there is still pressure on him to deliver in the seat, otherwise, Mercedes may be forced to make a change.
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It has been long rumoured that Verstappen will end up in the Mercedes during his career, with Wolff wanting to sign him back before he had raced in F1.
However, a report from Motorsport Italy raises an issue that could prevent Wolff from getting his man.
The German car company is facing a crisis at the moment, sales are falling significantly, causing them to launch a cost-cutting drive, aimed at saving ‘several billion’ each year.
Toto Wolff will have to reign in his pursuit of Max Verstappen
GettyMercedes's parent company Daimler only owns a third of the Formula 1 team. The other two-thirds are owned by Wolff and British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe through INEOS.
The issue comes not in affording Verstappen, but the image it would send to be cutting in some areas and spending nine figures on a driver for their team.
Mercedes are aiming to portray an image of frugality and therefore their pursuit of the Dutchman may need to be paused until further notice.
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George Russell wants to be paid the same as Lando Norris
ReutersGeorge Russell is likely to expect a pay rise if he signs a new deal with the Silver Arrows. His £12.5million wages will likely no longer reflect where he thinks he places in the sport.
He has demanded to be paid the same as McLaren driver Lando Norris as he feels he is as good as his fellow Briton, a sentiment that has been echoed by Wolff, but with the issues within Daimler it seems unlikely he will see a significant pay bump.
Both drivers will be aiming to show their prestige as they take to the track this weekend for the Canadian Grand Prix.
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