Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has firmly denied the recent claims made by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, alleging that Wolff attempted to arrange a meeting with Red Bull to discuss the future of Mick Schumacher.
Schumacher, who began his Formula 1 career with Haas but was not retained after the 2022 season, was subsequently taken on by Mercedes as a reserve driver.
Now, as Schumacher aims to make a comeback to the grid next year, the question of where he will find a seat remains.
During an interview with German TV channel Sport 1, Marko suggested that Wolff had offered Schumacher as a potential driver for Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
He also criticised Wolff for supposedly playing politics with Schumacher’s future, claiming that Wolff had simultaneously engaged in political manoeuvres against Red Bull at the FIA.
Marko stated: “It was mentioned at a meeting.
“It’s just stupid that Mr Wolff at the same time openly made politics against us at the FIA again.
“With that, the topic was off the table. Why should we take Schumacher?
“He is a Mercedes driver, Mr Wolff is responsible for him.
“If he thinks so highly of him, why not let him drive in his own team or use his influence to get him into a customer team like Williams?”
Wolff, however, firmly refuted Marko’s allegations, stating that he never sought a meeting with Red Bull leadership regarding Schumacher.
Nevertheless, he expressed his genuine desire to assist Schumacher in securing a full-time race seat for the upcoming season.
READ: Daniel Ricciardo to drive RB19 as Red Bull ‘evaluate’ signing him for 2024
When asked about Mercedes’ potential role in helping Schumacher return to the grid, Wolff responded: “I’m not even sure that we can facilitate because every time we speak highly of him, somebody feels the need to say something negative.
“As a little aside, I never spoke to Red Bull leadership about giving Mick a place there the way it was said by Helmut.
“Wherever I can speak highly and praise Mick, that’s what I’m doing. But at the end, it’s every team’s authority to decide on the drivers.”