Miami [US], Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has not ruled out meeting with Ma Verstappen to explore the possibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. Wolff has praised Verstappen since the start of the season. Noting that "nobody would do a tea principal handstand" to sign the Dutchman and that he was "waiting to see how the driver market developed", reigning world champion Verstappen signed a contract with Red Bull until the conclusion of the 2028 season. After the Miami Grand Prix, Wolff denied that a meeting had been planned with Verstappen's representatives on Monday. Refused further talks this month. “There are always a lot of meetings. I can't really say about a second drive [in the Mercedes]," Wolff said as quoted by Sky Sports. "I think we've talked about the possibilities.I want to be fair to these people and not make it seem like we're playing chess with humans, because we're not. I think we want to take our time, see where Max's thinking goes and, at the same time, monitor the other drivers. Carlos [Saenz] was very strong again in Miami and that's why we are on a bit of observation mode at the moment." Wolff believes Verstappen is the most important chess piece in this year's driver market for all teams. "Like I said before, if I were him, I wouldn't leave until at least 2025.But it's all in him... He is the lead driver, he is the top guy at the moment and that's why it's his decision to make. “Maybe no decision is made, maybe everything continues as is, but it's also guidance for us,” Wolfe said. Before the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull announced that Adrian Newey would be stepping down as chief technical. Formula One team official with immediate effect, and will focus on other projects until he leaves in early 2025. McLaren CEO Jack Brown claimed that his team had seen an "increase in CVs" from Ray Bull personnel, which Wolff agreed with. Mercedes' perspective."Zak is absolutely right. We're looking at Red Bull CVs at all levels. But I would say it's nothing extraordinary. People change teams and want to change environments," said Wolff, "I came to this point I'm not really interested in what's going on there with the leadership, I'm not hearing anything anymore. I think it's important for us to look at our team, develop stronger people and hopefully other teams. It is important to bring some interesting, capable people to Mercedes and provide an exciting journey to recovery."