Mercedes considering Verstappen for future - Wolff
- Published on 21 Mar 2016 15:12
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Toto Wolff has admitted Max Verstappen is on Mercedes' radar for the future. Jos Verstappen, the F1 teen sensation's father, is openly confirming that while Toro Rosso was the right move for Max initially, he wants his son to be in a "top car" for 2017.
The 18-year-old made his mark on the sport with his audacious overtakes last year, and on Saturday got his 2016 campaign off to an impressive start by qualifying fifth. "Mercedes and Ferrari are far ahead but I think you can call us 'best of the rest'," Max said. Olav Mol, the well-known Dutch television commentator, told Ziggo Sport Totaal that "Max made a huge point to the team bosses" with his pace in Australia.
Wolff, the team boss at Mercedes where Nico Rosberg is out of contract at the end of the year, is openly impressed. "It is clear that he (Verstappen) has a great future in F1. It would be stupid not to consider him as the opportunity arises. But at the moment this is not an issue," said Wolff.
That is because Red Bull beat Wolff to putting Verstappen under long-term contract for 2015 and beyond. "Max did not surprise me in his first year," the Austrian said. "I knew how good he was. Now he is clearly ready for the next step," added Wolff. "I know that Red Bull has high expectations for him so I would be very, very surprised if Max is not driving a Red Bull in 2017." (GMM)
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Replies (7)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Its a bit too early to refer to Toro Rosso as the best of the rest. We have just seen the first race. But it does seem as if Toro Rosso might be stronger than their sister team this year, at least in the first half of it.
f1dave
Posts: 782
Now if only he would stop crying on the radio.
khasmir
Posts: 893
True, that was too much complaining ;)
Eventually he got so angry he started making mistakes himself...
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yes, that was incredibly awkward. If he was that faster, he should've tried to overtake Sainz first.
Pompey
Posts: 84
Its too soon to be a 'Diva', he should concentrate on his own ability.
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Most over hyped guy on the grid, his true capabilities were revealed in that race, Toro Rosso has always aimed for top straight line speed and along with their effective DRS it allowed their drivers to throw one up the inside most of the times and make it stick. Yet against the same car with another driver in it he couldn't make the pass. *Yawn*
Sirhenry
Posts: 759
What a bs, the Toro's were the second slowest car on th straights. The strong point of the car is the cornerspeed.
Even Hamilton could not overtake the TR at the beginning of the race.. overtaking the same car is very very difficult, you should review the Mercedes battles from 2015....
You see the difference in overtaking moves when you compare Verstappen and some other drivers. Verstappen is always in control, where others are burning tires. Review the overtakes on Palmer, by the TR's.