Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that the team is exploring the possibility of signing four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the future. However, he stressed that this exploration is not affecting current contract discussions with George Russell regarding the 2026 season.
Speculation surrounding a potential move for Verstappen from Red Bull to Mercedes intensified recently after George Russell indicated that his own contract talks were being delayed because Mercedes was also pursuing the Dutch driver.
George Russell`s current contract with Mercedes is set to expire at the end of the current year. Mercedes also has 18-year-old rising talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli under a long-term agreement.
Max Verstappen is currently under contract with Red Bull until 2028. Despite this, Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko has openly discussed performance-based clauses within Verstappen`s contract that could potentially allow the 27-year-old to depart before his deal concludes.
“Firstly, there is no delay whatsoever in George`s contract situation; our timelines have been clear for a long while,” Wolff explained. “We`ve known each other for a significant period, so the idea of a delay doesn`t apply here.”
Wolff continued, “However, as a team principal overseeing the world`s premier car brand, it`s natural to look into what a four-time world champion might do in the future, even if that`s a long way off. But that consideration has absolutely no impact on us finalizing George`s contract.”
Wolff also mentioned that George Russell is fully aware of Mercedes` position regarding Max Verstappen.
“Within the team, we strive for transparency, and we are transparent,” the team boss stated. “You have the choice to keep things secret, or you can do as we have done over the past two decades I`ve been here: be open about the situation.”
“Drivers are intelligent individuals, and they communicate with each other. I`m always open about these matters and explain things as they are. It`s not a situation where we are on the verge of signing Max, because that prospect is currently too distant to be realistic. Therefore, we discuss everything with George,” Wolff added.
Max Verstappen has been a subject of considerable speculation linking him with a potential move to Mercedes in recent years.
Prior to these specific comments, Wolff spent a significant part of Friday`s news conference at the Austrian Grand Prix addressing and often deflecting questions about pursuing Verstappen.
When questioned about a potential deadline for signing Verstappen, Wolff stated that his “conversations” had not reached that particular stage.
“You`re portraying it as if we`ve been asking him about his preferred joining date and terms. That`s not the reality of the situation or how it functions. I reiterate my earlier point,” Wolff said, emphasizing the private nature of discussions.
“I prefer to have these conversations behind closed doors, not in public forums. We have two drivers who have been integral to our program for a considerable time,” he continued, referring to Russell and Antonelli. “These are drivers I am completely happy with, drivers who will achieve great things for the team in the future. So, the situation is somewhat different.”
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Verstappen himself avoided giving a direct answer regarding his plans for 2026, which further fueled speculation about his future.
“I don`t believe we need to discuss that,” Verstappen commented. “I don`t know, do you want me to repeat my answer from last year? I don`t know. It`s the same response.”
“Honestly, I don`t even recall what I said last year,” he added. “But again, it`s not really on my mind. My focus is on driving well, pushing for performance, and then we`ll concentrate on next year.”
When asked what George Russell needed to do to secure a contract extension, Wolff`s response was simple: “Nothing. He`s been part of our program for around 10 years now. He has consistently met the expectations we`ve set for him, and he continues to do so.”
“Over the past three years, we haven`t provided him with a car capable of winning a world championship. That responsibility lies entirely with us. And on occasions where the car has been competitive, he has secured victories,” Wolff admitted.
“You can see even today [in free practice] that he is always right there. You know that when he gets in the car, he will extract its maximum potential. Having said that, for various reasons, contract discussions tend to gain momentum or be accelerated in the media around early summer, often due to a lack of information.”
“What I have practiced in normal business for the last 30 years is that contract discussions are not conducted publicly. So, everything is proceeding normally. Everything is going according to plan,” he concluded.
Asked about the possibility of a Russell and Verstappen driver lineup in the future, Wolff responded, “Well, I can envision any lineup. I`ve had [Nico] Rosberg and [Lewis] Hamilton competing intensely for a world championship, so everything subsequent to that feels easier.”
“So, yes, there are advantages and disadvantages to having two drivers fiercely competing against each other. We`ve seen instances where that partnership has worked well, and other examples where it hasn`t been successful,” he reflected.
