How Verstappen is keeping the F1 driver market hostage

Needless to say, the touted possibility of Verstappen activating certain exit clauses to move before the end of his 2028 deal has put rival teams on high alert.

Since Hamilton’s departure announcement, numerous drivers and their managers have thrown their hats in the ring and contacted Wolff about his vacant seat, but until Verstappen either pledges his loyalty to Red Bull or announces a shock exit of his own, Mercedes won’t be in a hurry to decide.

“As much as we were taken aback by Lewis’ decision so quickly, now I really want to take my time,” Wolff told Fox Sports Australia in Melbourne.

“We have a slot free, the only one in the top teams – unless decides he goes, then the slot is not going to be free with us anymore.

“There are a few options that are really interesting for us – from the very young super talent to some of the other ones, who are very experienced.

“That’s not going to happen in the next few weeks or months. I want to continue to monitor the market. It depends on what Max does.”

Sainz’s case is the most pressing, as unlike his aforementioned colleagues he doesn’t have the option of staying where he is. Sainz was collateral damage in Ferrari’s audacious push for Hamilton and is now actively looking for a job.

Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

Initially, Verstappen seems to dictate which top seat remains open for Sainz to slot into.