Toto Wolff has confirmed his intention to continue "waiting" for Max Verstappen amidst the ongoing unrest within Red Bull and the issues surrounding Christian Horner.
Verstappen, whose current agreement with Red Bull extends until 2028, mentioned in Melbourne how it was "nice to hear" that the Mercedes boss would "love" to have the Dutch driver join his team in 2025, following Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari.
The revelation of what's being referred to as the 'Marko clause' might offer the three-time world champion a way out of his lengthy contract if the current turmoil within Red Bull persists.
With speculation about Verstappen's switch to Mercedes making rounds, the controversy involving Horner has begun to fade, at least publicly.
"Thank God it's getting quieter," acknowledged Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull's chief Formula 1 strategist, while in Melbourne.
Wolff, on his part, is willing to bide his time, clearly indicating that Verstappen is his primary choice to lead the team in 2025, post-Hamilton.
"Yes, I'm waiting for him," Wolff openly shared with De Telegraaf in Melbourne.
"A few months ago I would never have expected to be able to say that," Wolff added.
Despite the current issues at Red Bull, Verstappen has expressed his contentment with the team.
"The car works really well. It is my best start to a season," the 26-year-old declared in Melbourne. "The team has many great people who are constantly working to improve results. That's what I focus on - performing."
Wolff, meanwhile, is in no hurry to announce Hamilton's replacement as he waits on Verstappen's decision.
"I don't want to speculate too much about his thoughts or put pressure on him," he mentioned. "Now he is in the best car and has a very good relationship with Red Bull, it's just that maybe the whole work environment at the moment is not as it should be.
"In due time, Max, Jos (Verstappen), and Raymond Vermeulen, their manager, will have to decide what their priority is - the car, the results, or certain values within the team that may or may not be respected and that they consider important.
"Knowing them quite well, I think Max and Jos are very attached to clear values," Wolff observed.
However, the relationship between the Verstappens and Wolff was strained during the intense 2021 world championship battle. Wolff says they've mended fences since then.
"Jos and I are the same age," he noted. "I think we've always respected each other and we also have the same kind of humour. But I think the most important thing is that we both don't like nonsense.
"Jos knows more about racing than me, and also than Max. Maybe I know a little more about how to run an organisation," Wolff added with a smile.
"It's unfortunate that there was some rivalry, but I will always defend my driver, and they probably would have behaved the same way. But looking back at 2021, it's clear that I made some mistakes, but I can't go back.
Aside from Verstappen, Wolff admits only a "small group of drivers" captures his interest as potential successors to Hamilton. "Among them are some drivers who will not make hasty decisions," he stated.
Fernando Alonso, in Melbourne, indicated his willingness to wait until summer to make decisions. "There are options for drivers in the short term, but also in the long term," Wolff acknowledged.
"There is a certain situation at Red Bull. So, presumably, Max will decide his future in the coming weeks depending on how the situation evolves. Is he number 1 on the wish list? It's a great opportunity," he concluded.
"We already knew that Lewis could leave after this year when he signed the contract. But at the same time, this creates opportunities for us, while Ferrari and McLaren have no vacancies," Wolff explained.
"I want to let my mind wander for the next two or three months and then decide which direction to take. We prefer to walk towards the right decision than run towards the wrong one."
