Toto Wolff, Mercedes team boss, laughed with Max Verstappen and his father Jos over a report suggesting Wolff approaches Verstappen.
A report quoted that Helmut Marko, Red Bull motorsport advisor, said their lead drive has been approached by Mercedes boss.
The report suggested that Max Verstappen, who has been seen as potential title contender, has received repeated calls by Wolff over the months.
Red Bull and Verstappen has been associated from 2014 when the Dutch was taken on board for European Formula 3 season.
Verstappen was surprised at the story published in Germany. He laughed at the report and rejected what it suggested because he said, “I never speak to Toto, he never calls me, he doesn’t even have my number”.
Wolff think that report is funny and said: “We had quite a laugh about it all three of us.
“I haven’t got Max’s number and I’ve never spoken to him on the phone.
“As Max rightly said I’ve known Jos for a long time and I would consider him a friend.
“We talk about babies and go-karting and when do we put our babies in a go-kart together and which team are we going to set up.
“There is no talking about Max nor his contract. For the right reasons, Max is very committed to the Honda/Red Bull situation.
“We are committed to our drivers and we are not planning to engage in any sort of discussions and nor are Jos or Max, so I don’t know where that came from.”
The report suggested that a Red Bull contract contains a clause, which allow him to leave this season only if he doesn’t contend for the title.
“I can’t talk about my contract,” Verstappen replied to a question related to performance clause.
“I never talk about my contract. I think it’s quite normal that I cannot comment on that.”
Verstappen has made progress this year and was able to demonstrate his presence he was able to fetch an overall position ahead of Ferrari after first three races. He was able to finish third, fourth and fourth in first three races with an over-all gap of 29 points from the top rank.
Hamilton currently leads the standings with 68 points with Bottas at second position with 62 points.
“After a day like today where we are P1 and P2 I’m not considering any other driver for the short-term,” said Wolff
“[For] after 2020 we will first discuss with Valtteri and Lewis, and once that decision is taken, we’ll turn to the paddock.
“But hopefully the line-up stays forever.”
