Toto Wolff's response to Max Verstappen committing to Red Bull speaks volumes
Toto Wolff declared Mercedes will still hold out for as long as possible before filling their available seat and still hope to convince Max Verstappen to quit Red Bull.
The Dutchman once again faced questions over his future ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix. Asked if he can confirm once and for all that he will continue with Red Bull, Verstappen gave his strongest indication yet that he is not thinking about leaving.
The 26-year-old said: "Naturally of course people are talking, but it's most important just that we have a very competitive car for the future. At the moment, of course, it's very tight, but we are working very well as a team to try to improve more.
"For sure, I said this already with the team, we are working and focusing also on next year to try and be competitive again... I don't think that's how Formula 1 works where then suddenly you can say, 'Well, bye guys'. It's not how it works.
"I have a long contract with the team, I'm very happy where I'm at and, like I said before, we are focusing also already on next year with things that we can implement on the car. So I guess that should say enough of where I'm driving next year."
Mercedes team principal Wolff has been chasing Verstappen for some time and it is clear he wants the defending champion to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton. He was asked for his response to the racer's latest comments in an interview with Austrian outlet OE24.
And he made it clear he will not be deterred as he pointed out: "Did he really say that? I don't think he clearly said yes. But I wasn't there. We'll keep our free seat free for as long as possible. First and foremost, we have to make our car faster. If the car goes fast, fast drivers will want to drive with us.
Max Verstappen was quizzed on his Red Bull future in Austria
"I admire [Verstappen's] achievements and as a person I have come to know him as an extraordinary young man. I've said it a lot recently, Max is the best driver at the moment, and everyone who has the chance would like to have Max in their car. Ola [Kallenius, Mercedes chief executive] sees it the same way."
For now, though, as he said, Wolff has to focus on the efforts going into making the team more competitive on track. Mercedes have performed well in their last two outings, raising hopes of another strong showing this weekend in Austria, but the team boss admits a fairytale result is unlikely.
He said: "The victories of the past are worth very little today. What's more important is what happens this weekend. Spielberg was never our track, at least under the new regulations."