Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff has commented on the prospect of the Silver Arrows poaching Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
The Austrian said he believes the Dutch ace is “very happy” at his current team, and stressed that Mercedes “are not looking for a driver.”
“I think that Verstappen and his entourage are very happy where they are,” Wolff said.
He added that Formula 1’s driver market is currently fairly stable, and he isn’t expecting a big shake-up going in 2022 as most drivers are already under contract.
“Red Bull is their team and is their home, and why not keep it like that? I think we have our plans with our drivers, and Ferrari has a great line-up, and Lando Norris at McLaren looks pretty settled, so I think the trajectory is set.
“We’re not looking for a driver,” Wolff reiterated.
His comments come as Mercedes are yet to decide who will partner Sir Lewis Hamilton next year.
The Brit inked a two-year contract extension earlier this season, but his team-mate, Valtteri Bottas, is under threat of losing his seat to George Russell.
Wolff said they are planning to make a decision during F1’s summer shutdown, with the team having a “variety of options” to consider for 2022.
“We want to take the decision in the summer [break],” Wolff said.
“There are a variety of opinions also within the team and the Daimler board, and we just need to stick our heads together and say, ‘Okay, what is everybody thinking?’” he concluded.