"Toto Wolff is in love with Max Verstappen at this point!": Fans react to the Mercedes boss calling the Red Bull driver the strongest on the grid

F1 fans recently reacted to Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff praising Red Bull's Max Verstappen and luring him to his team. Wolff stated that Mercedes' doors have always been open for the three-time world champion.

Before the 2024 F1 season began, Ferrari announced that Lewis Hamilton would join them as their driver from 2025. As a result, Mercedes have been looking for a competent driver to replace the seven-time world champion.

Several reports emerged that the Silver Arrows were targeting drivers like Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who Hamilton replaced in 2025, junior driver Kimi Antonelli, Fernando Alonso, and even Max Verstappen.

Verstappen was in the reports since Red Bull was surrounded by a lot of controversy at the beginning of the 2024 F1 season. After Christian Horner was accused of inappropriate behavior by a female and was investigated by Red Bull, the team was in an unstable condition.

Furthermore, the Dutch driver's father, Jos Verstappen, was seen meeting with Toto Wolff at the Bahrain GP, which sparked the rumors even more.

Fast forward to the Hungarian GP, Toto Wolff once again continues to Max Verstappen. Speaking to OE24, the Austrian admitted that Verstappen was the strongest driver on the grid and that Mercedes' doors were always open for him. He also admitted that Red Bull's RB20 is the best machine on the grid.

"Max is, it looks like, the strongest driver in the best car at the moment. That's why we always left the door open for him," Wolff said.

Many fans joked about how much Toto Wolff was trying to lure Max Verstappen to join Mercedes in the future. One hilariously wrote that the Austrian billionaire was in love with the Red Bull star, while other speculated that Wolff must be having a blank check ready for Verstappen if he joins.

"Toto is in love with Max at this point! #hungarianGP," one fan wrote.

"Bro has the blank cheque signed and ready," another mentioned.

"He gets more unhinged every day," a follower joked.

Some people picked up Wolff's comments on Red Bull being the best car and argued that the RB20 might not be the fastest car on the grid at the moment.

"Best car?" someone questioned.

"Strongest driver? yes. Best car? I’d like to know what makes him say that," another asked curiously.

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Red Bull team boss's savage dig at Toto Wolff for luring Max Verstappen to join Mercedes

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner recently took a savage dig at Toto Wolff as he continues to lure Max Verstappen to join Mercedes. Red Bull is willing to keep Verstappen till the end of his contract in 2028. While speaking at Friday's press conference before Austrian GP, he was asked about Toto Wolff's luring tactics.

Horner mentioned how Verstappen had a clear answer about his future in F1 and labeled Mercedes' honcho's luring as a 'tactic of distraction'. He then took a jibe at Wolff, saying that if he wanted a Verstappen, he could take Max's father, Jos Verstappen.

"That's a question you would have to ask Toto. Max was pretty resolute in what he said in this conference [on Thursday]. He's always been absolutely consistent with that with the team. I think it’s purely a tactic of distraction. Of course if he does want a Verstappen for next year, then I guess Jos is potentially available," Horner said.

Max Verstappen is well on course for a fourth F1 title, as he is currently in top spot with 255 points. The Dutchman, however, was unable to win any of his last two races, finishing fifth at the Austrian GP and runner-up at the British GP.