Raymond Vermeulen, Max Verstappen‘s manager, hints that Charles Leclerc could be Toto Wolff’s Plan B if Verstappen rejects Mercedes.
Charles Leclerc has issued a warning to Lewis Hamilton. Photo by RacePictures.
“Everyone calls everyone else. Or don’t you think Toto will call Charles Leclerc?” Vermeulen said bluntly.
Speaking before Verstappen’s win in Azerbaijan, Vermeulen praised the Red Bull star’s “balanced” personality.
“[It’s] Absolutely [a good thing]. If you have to make decisions, that’s great, of course,” he told De Telegraaf. “That you work with someone who is very stable and doesn’t shoot from left to right.”
The four-time World Champion knows exactly what he wants, according to his manager.
“Verstappen is someone who knows exactly what he wants and especially what he doesn’t want.”
And what Verstappen wants is simple – winning titles.
If Red Bull can’t deliver in 2026, Vermeulen admitted his client might look elsewhere.
With teams lining up for Verstappen’s signature, he could have his pick of drives for 2027. But if Mercedes isn’t his choice, Vermeulen has a pretty good idea who Wolff will call instead.
“That’s not all that exciting, you know. Everyone calls everyone else,” Vermeulen said about calls from team bosses like McLaren’s Zak Brown.
“Or don’t you think Toto will call Charles Leclerc? That’s the puzzle that everyone is putting together for themselves. And everyone is selfish, wants the best for themselves. Logical too.”
## Is Verstappen back in the title fight?
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella believes the Dutchman is “definitely back” in the championship battle.
Lando Norris also told people not to be shocked about Red Bull’s speed after Verstappen won in Baku while he finished seventh.
Laurent Mekies focused on Red Bull’s aggressive approach to finding more speed rather than worrying about championship standings.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is being more cautious. He wants to see the Singapore Grand Prix results before making any title predictions.
As for Verstappen himself? He neither confirmed nor denied he’s back in the title hunt.
Have Piastri and Norris allowed Verstappen back into the title fight? Find out here. What does Verstappen need to do to become the F1 2025 World Champion? Click here to learn more.
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