Chapter Text
Signing a sixteen year old to an F1 contract was insane. Signing a sixteen year old to GP2 was also a bit crazy but not nearly as bad.
But Max Verstappen was a special case. Toto had known the moment he saw him that Mercedes could make a world champion out of him.
Offering a sixteen year old an F1 contract was insane, but Red Bull had always been insane. He can't blame Max for accepting the offer. When offered an F1 seat, you accept it. Even if it's foolish and borderline dangerous.
When asked if he regrets his decision to not sign Max, the answer is complicated. No, both Nico and Lewis gave him championships. He does not regret keeping them. But Nico only gave him two more years when Max would have given him upwards of eight. He had done the logical thing at the time, but yes, he regrets not signing Max.
Even now, nearly twelve years after the fact, Toto wants Max. He may be able to squeeze a championship out of George. Maybe. But with Max he would have had the last five. He truly believes that.
He’d made up for his mistake in part. He’d signed Kimi. Ensured that no one would get the next rising protege before him. And yet Max will always be his greatest what if.
The article comes through late Saturday night. He has those who stay on top of such things, never willing to be caught unaware. His first thought is a deep sigh and, Christian, what have you gotten yourself into now?
He’s sure it’s nothing good. How could it be with Christian involved? And it’s not. It’s not good.
It is just rumors. Gossip. Who can say what is true and what is not. But it's not unbelievable. Toto does not read the article with bafflement or disbelief. No. It seems plausible based upon what he knows of Christian. They had never been friends, despite the narrative the fans sometimes pushed. They had barely been cordial. It's not disappointment he feels. Not a break of trust. Just… sadness.
Sadness for Max, which the article must be referring to. Regret for not finding a more feasible way to sign him. Frustration that he did not know, did not see it before now. And even resolve to bring Max over into their own camp. Away from Red Bull. Away from the system that had taken advantage of his youth and hunger.
There was nothing for him to do about it. Not really. Not now.
If Max wanted to sign with him, he would gladly take him. But aside from that? He could regret, but he couldn't change the past. There was no use dwelling on it. Once again he would be forced to only sit back and watch the future unfold.