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Max Verstappen with Toto Wolff (Source: Twitter/X)
Amid the ongoing Miami GP 2024 Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff has slammed Mercedes chief Toto Wolff for luring Max Verstappen. The three-time world champion is hot property in F1 right now and the Mercedes team principal has publicly expressed his interest to get him into his team.
In a rare interview with a media house, Mintzlaff spoke about both Wolff and Mercedes and suggested he focus on his problems. In a to-be-published interview with Bild Am Sonntag Mintzlaff said, “I understand the pressure that Toto Wolff and perhaps other teams have after years of being behind.
“But I think Toto Wolff should concentrate on his challenges. He has enough of those. And it also has something to do with respect. If I keep talking about the personnel of other teams, that's not right. Max still has a long-term contract here and hasn't said a word that he doesn't want to fulfil it,” he further added.
"Max is a loyal guy", says Oliver Mintzlaff
Further explaining about Max Verstappen’s contract and his views about Red Bull’s future Mintzlaff said that the Dutchman is in no mood to leave his current contract. He said, “I'm not at all worried that he's considering a move. Things just have to calm down again now. That’s what Max wants – and that’s what we want too.”
“You also need that, if you want to be successful in the long term in sport, whether in football or Formula 1. No. At least I can't think of any. Max wants the fastest car. We have this. Max wants to become a world champion. With us, he has the best chances and Max is a loyal guy.”
“He knows that Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have always placed their trust in him. He appreciates that. In addition, Red Bull is simply a great brand that he can extremely identify with. So there are many reasons for staying – and none against”, he concluded.
It’s worth noting that on Saturday Max Verstappen clinched his seventh consecutive pole position in Formula 1. He also became the first player to get the pole in the first six races of a season in the 21st century. His amazing form and demand might trigger him to rethink his contract with Red Bull which is set to last till 2028.