\n<\/p>\n
Wolff alluded to the ongoing controversy around allegations involving Horner, who a female employee has accused of sexual harassment and controlling behaviour.<\/p>\n
Horner has always denied the allegations. An internal Red Bull inquiry cleared the 50-year-old in February, but the woman has appealed and a second internal inquiry is under way.<\/p>\n
Wolff said: “For simple minds, [performance] might be the only reason you stay in a car. But maybe there is more depth to some people that considers other factors, too, and Max has more depth. <\/p>\n
“In that respect, are we able to convince him? It is not a matter of convincing. <\/p>\n
“Max knows motor racing better than anyone and he will take decisions that he feels are good for him. A few factors play a role but he’s the one who is going to trigger some more domino stones to fall afterwards, but everyone is waiting to see what he is going to do.”<\/p>\n
Wolff said Verstappen and his management team – comprising his father, the ex-F1 driver Jos Verstappen and manager Raymond Vermeulen – would decide on his future based on a holistic view of the situation, and said the chassis and engine regulation changes for 2026 would also be a factor.<\/p>\n
“It is a question of how they feel the future, how they feel where the future is best for them, considering a lot of factors,” Wolff said. <\/p>\n
“We are in a very good position for 2026. We are ambitious with the targets we set ourselves for the power units, batteries and fuel and if we are able to produce a decent chassis, we are a good-value proposition, but who knows.”<\/p>\n
But after another difficult race for Mercedes, in which George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished sixth and ninth, Horner was dismissive of Wolff’s comments.<\/p>\n
He said Verstappen, who is contracted to Red Bull to the end of 2028, was unavailable, adding: “Why would you want to leave this team? Mercedes are third team behind their customers [McLaren and Aston Martin]. His time would be better spent perhaps focusing on the team rather than the driver market.<\/p>\n
“I can assure you that there is no ambiguity about where Max Verstappen will be next year.”<\/p>\n
Asked about his future in Shanghai on Thursday, Verstappen said: “I signed a long-term deal with the team. The only thing I said from the beginning is we want to have a peaceful environment. Lately we have been talking about the car. I am happy about that. I am happy with the team and there has never been a reason to leave.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n