Toto Wolff reignited his war of words with Christian Horner as he hinted Max Verstappen could still join his Mercedes team next year, claiming ‘other factors’ would be at play than just race pace.

Verstappen claimed an emphatic victory at the Chinese Grand Prix to extend his lead in the championship to 25 points and remains under contract with Red Bull until 2028.

There was speculation, though, over his future after Horner was accused of sexual harassment and controlling behaviour by a female employee. The Red Bull team principal, who has always denied the allegations, was later cleared in an internal inquiry.

Wolff has publicly engaged with the idea of bringing Verstappen to Mercedes and previously called it something that ‘needs to happen at some stage’. And the Austrian stoked the fires again in Shanghai.

‘There are so many factors that play a role for a driver joining,’ said Wolff, who has also previously conceded that ‘Red Bull is the quickest car so that will always be the priority’.

Max Verstappen’s future was again the subject of speculation after his victory in Shanghai

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff (left) once again mentioned Verstappen’s Red Bull future, only to be given a stiff rejoinder by Christian Horner (right)

‘Clearly when you look at it from the most rational point of view, you can say, “Well that’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver”.

‘But I don’t think that this is the only reason you stay where you are. For, let’s say, simple minds, that might be the only reason you stay in a car and that’s it.

‘But maybe there is some more depth to some people that consider other factors too and I think Max has that depth.’

Horner fired back when Wolff’s comments on his star driver were put to him. ‘It is about how he (Verstappen) feels in the team, the relationship he has in the team and the way he is performing,’ said Horner.

‘I don’t think Toto’s problems are his drivers. He has other elements he needs to focus on, rather than focusing on drivers that are unavailable.

‘I don’t know how many more times Max can say he is staying? He has said it numerous times. Sometimes it is just designed to create noise.

‘Why on earth would you want to leave this team? Mercedes are behind at the moment. His time would be better spent focusing on the team than the driver market. I can assure you that there is no ambiguity as to where Max Verstappen will be next year.’

Meanwhile, a furious Daniel Ricciardo said Lance Stroll was ‘making my blood boil’ after their race was ended by the Canadian crashing into the back of Ricciardo’s RB following a safety car restart.

Wolff speaks with Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and director Helmut Marko in Shanghai

Verstappen took another dominant victory at the first Chinese Grand Prix in five years

Verstappen (left) has won 38 out of the last 49 races as he continues his domination

Stroll was handed a 10-second time penalty, though that did little to placate Ricciardo.

‘Maybe in an hour, when he sees it, he might take some accountability. But if he doesn’t, I can’t help him, nor can anyone here,’ said the Australian. ‘It’s so frustrating. Obviously, racing incidents happen, but behind a safety car, that should never happen.’

Stroll suggested the blame was on Ricciardo for the incident, something that only further incensed his rival, who is under pressure following his poor start to the 2024 season.

‘I’d slowly started to calm down and then I was told what Lance thinks of the incident,’ said Ricciardo. ‘Apparently, I’m an idiot and it was my fault. That made my blood boil.

‘I’m doing my best not to say what I want to say but f*** that guy. And I’m being nice, too!’