Hamilton will drive for Mercedes in 2024 but a succession plan is expected to be designed for a year’s time. Hamilton’s rival and three-time world champion Verstappen has been loosely linked with Mercedes.
The Dutchman has enjoyed remarkable success with Red Bull over the last few seasons, dominating the grid and comfortably winning successive drivers’ titles. Marko has told Wolff that he has little chance of signing Verstappen for Mercedes.
Asked by German publication Sport if Red Bull are braced for bids for the 26-year-old, Marko responded: “Toto Wolff will try that – but he will be unsuccessful.”
The 80-year-old also said Verstappen possesses “a good memory” and still remembers Wolff’s criticism after the Red Bull ace clashed with Hamilton at the Great British Grand Prix in 2021. Verstappen went on to controversially win the World Championship that year, much to the fury of Wolff and Mercedes.
Hamilton’s exit came as a shock to Wolff, who was informed of the 39-year-old’s decision last Wednesday. The announcement came a day later in a whirlwind 24 hours for the Mercedes chief.
Wolff has rubbished a theory that had developed among fans that Hamilton decided to quit after testing Mercedes’ car for 2024. Hamilton has complained about the performance of the Silver Arrows’ vehicles over the past few years, prompting fans to believe that he knew the team would not be competitive this year.
However, Wolff said on Friday that it was the first day Hamilton had driven the W15 in the simulator, two days after he was informed that the driver wanted to leave in a year’s time.
