Mercedes mocks Verstappen: “It’s a horrendous car to drive”

Mercedes trying to lure Max Verstappen isn’t exactly breaking news. Last season, CEO Toto Wolff made repeated attempts to bring the four‑time champion into the Silver Arrows’ camp. He called, he pushed, he made offers—but Verstappen’s answer never changed. His future, he insisted, was tied to Red Bull. And now, just a few months into Formula 1’s new era, he may already be regretting that decision.

Verstappen not impressed

The Dutch driver has been openly critical of the new regulations from day one, arguing they make F1 feel more like a video game than real racing. “They could ruin Formula 1,” Verstappen warned after last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

Wolff wasted no time turning those comments into a subtle—but unmistakable—“I told you so.” The chaotic race in Shanghai gave the Mercedes boss plenty of ammunition to poke fun at Verstappen’s early‑season struggles.

Red Bull’s car simply isn’t giving him what he needs, and the team can’t extract the performance required to fight at the front—where George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have been thriving. Since Australia, Mercedes has locked out the top two steps of the podium, with each driver taking a win.

“Max is really, I think, in a horror show,” Wolff said during the post‑race press conference. “When you look at the onboard that he has in qualifying yesterday, this is just horrendous to drive. You can see that.” The Austrian’s tone carried a hint of mockery, a reminder that Verstappen turned down Mercedes’ offers.

And those offers may not come again, given how strong Mercedes’ young lineup looks. Meanwhile, Verstappen—whose talent no one questions—sits eighth in the championship, with just eight points from Australia. In China, he didn’t even finish.

“Clearly, lifting costs in the qualifying. I’m sure for someone like Max, who is a full-attack guy, it’s difficult to cope and digest,,” Wolff explained. “But I’d say it’s more of a car‑specific issue that exaggerates the problem. But if you sit in front of a TV or in front of a screen, even Max would say that was interesting racing in the front.” Wolff also pushed back on Verstappen’s criticism of F1’s new direction.

In fact, with Mercedes back in the winner’s circle, Wolff argues the new rules are delivering exactly what fans want. “I believe that what we’ve seen today between Ferrari and Mercedes was good racing. Many overtakes,” he said. “We were all part of Formula 1 where there was no overtake, literally. Sometimes we’re too nostalgic about the good old years. But I think the product is good in itself.”

He doubled down: “We saw quite some racing in the midfield also. And that is, I think, the positive. Now, from a driver’s standpoint, then it comes to the balls-out qualifying lap, that is different.”

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