Helmut Marko thinks Toto Wolff could attempt to convince Max Verstappen to join Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton leaves – but doubts his fellow Austrian will have any success.

Hamilton has agreed to join Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season. It’s a stunning move that ends an 11-year spell at Brackley. This left Wolff with the task of finding a successor for the man who won six of his seven F1 drivers’ titles while competing for the Silver Arrows. It will also incur significant commercial costs for the team. Hamilton is more famous and affordable than its competitors. Verstappen is the only one who can replace the British talent in this regard. The Dutchman has won three titles in a row with Red Bull and team adviser Marco Wolff believes he could get his chance in the coming months. “Toto Wolf will try, but he won’t succeed,” he told German publication Sport. Marco believes the fact that Verstappen has “happy memories” of meeting Hamilton and Mercedes will prevent him from representing the Silver Arrows in a particularly successful title fight in 2021. Furthermore, the Dutchman is under contract until the end of the 2028 season. There are five full campaigns left to go and with Red Bull now the best team in F1, the stage is clear for Verstappen to make big strides while staying in the right position. Furthermore, he is unlikely to sign a new contract in F1, but will only be 31 when his contract expires.