Dr. Helmut Marko has labeled Toto Wolff, his Austrian counterpart and Mercedes boss, as indulging in "wishful thinking" as he holds onto the notion that Max Verstappen could make a surprising shift to Mercedes for 2025.

On Friday, the Osterreich newspaper queried Wolff about widespread reports that Verstappen had now firmly committed his near future to Red Bull.

"Did he really say that?" Wolff questioned.

"I don't think he clearly said 'yes'. But I wasn't there," the Mercedes boss continued to express doubt.

"As I keep saying, we'll keep our free seat open for as long as we can. First and foremost, we need to make our car faster, because if the car is fast, fast drivers will want to drive with us," Wolff articulated his strategy.

Amidst Red Bull's internal conflicts in 2024, notably a re-emergence of public disagreements involving Max's father, Jos, and team principal Christian Horner, Jos has been less certain than his son about remaining with Red Bull in the forthcoming year.

"There's so much going on that I don't want to talk about it," the 50-year-old former F1 driver stated at the Red Bull Ring.

When probed about why Wolff continues to suggest that three-time world champion Max might soon join Mercedes, Horner retorted on Friday, "I think it's purely a tactic of distraction. Of course, if Toto does want a Verstappen for next year, I guess Jos is potentially available."

Red Bull F1 advisor Dr Helmut Marko reiterated his view of Wolff's stance as "wishful thinking."

"The starting point remains the same," he told Sky Deutschland. "As long as Red Bull provides Max with a competitive car and he feels comfortable, there is no reason to change," Marko added.

Reacting to Horner's accusation of employing distraction tactics, Wolff responded, "I didn't hear that at all, but it's just stupid."

However, when informed about Horner jokingly offering Jos Verstappen to Mercedes, Wolff responded, "That wouldn't be bad either."