Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed the team`s interest in signing Max Verstappen from Red Bull for the 2026 season. He also stated he is open to the possibility of partnering the Dutch driver with George Russell.
Previously, Wolff had indicated that Mercedes` pursuit of the four-time world champion was temporarily paused after Lewis Hamilton`s confirmed switch to Ferrari for 2025.
However, in a recent interview, George Russell suggested that the delay in extending his own contract, which is set to expire at the end of this season, is because Mercedes are still attempting to secure Verstappen`s signature.
When asked on Friday about Russell`s comments, Wolff responded, “I like what George says, and I`m always supportive of the driver. There is no such thing as saying things I wouldn`t want him to say.” He added, “We are very transparent in the team for what we do, what we plan… At the moment, clearly you need to explore what`s happening in the future, but it doesn`t change anything of what I said before about George, about Kimi [Antonelli], about the line-up that I`m extremely happy having.”
Verstappen`s current contract with Red Bull extends until 2028, but it is understood to contain clauses that could potentially facilitate an earlier departure.
Pushed on whether Mercedes would set a deadline for Verstappen to make a decision, Wolff confirmed that “conversations behind closed doors” are taking place.
“You make it sound like we have been asking, `when do you want to join and what are the terms?` That`s not how it is and how it works,” Wolff clarified. “I want to just have the conversations behind closed doors… We have two drivers that have been in our programme a long time, drivers that I`m perfectly happy to have, drivers that will do great in the future of the team. So, it`s a bit different a situation.”
Wolff Considers Verstappen-Russell Pairing
Despite several on-track incidents and public disagreements between Verstappen and Russell over the past year, Wolff did not rule out the possibility of them becoming teammates at Mercedes. He argued that managing such a partnership couldn`t be more challenging than overseeing the intense rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes from 2013 to 2016.
Wolff commented, “I can imagine every line-up. I had Rosberg and Hamilton fighting for a world championship, so everything else afterwards is easy.” He acknowledged, “There are pros and cons of having two drivers fighting each other hard. We`ve seen examples where that functions and other examples where it didn`t.”
Russell More Likely for Mercedes Seat Than Verstappen
Speaking shortly after his initial press conference remarks, Wolff downplayed the immediate likelihood of Verstappen joining Mercedes in 2026.
He indicated that George Russell is more likely to be driving for Mercedes in 2026. Wolff explained the team`s approach to transparency: “These drivers are clever people. They talk with each other and I`m always open about these things and say it how it is.” He reiterated, “There`s no such thing as saying `we are going to sign Max`. This is so far away that it`s not realistic. With George, we talk about everything.”
Wolff also disputed Russell`s suggestion that his contract talks are being “delayed,” insisting that the team and driver are working within a timeframe that was mutually agreed upon long ago.
He concluded, “There is no delay in George`s contract negotiations because it`s pretty clear, since a long time, what our timings were and are… We have known each other for such a long time, so there is no such thing as a delay. As team principal of the best car brand in the world, it`s clear you explore what a four-time world champion will do in the future, and that could be long into the future. That has no effect on us putting a signature on George`s contract.”
Austrian GP Schedule
Saturday June 28
9am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Austrian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Austrian GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: AUSTRIAN GP QUALIFYING
5pm: Ted`s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday June 29
7.25am: F3 Feature Race
8.55am: F2 Feature Race
10.40am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Austrian GP build-up
2pm: THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Austrian GP reaction
5pm: Ted`s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
The 2025 Formula 1 season continues with a return to Europe for the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.
