Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes, has confirmed that the team is exploring the possibility of signing Max Verstappen in the future. However, he assured that this does not affect the ongoing contract negotiations with George Russell for 2026. Speculation about Verstappen leaving Red Bull for Mercedes intensified after Russell mentioned that his contract talks were being delayed, hinting that the team was also interested in the four-time world champion. Russell’s contract with Mercedes ends at the end of this year. The team also has Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, with a long-term agreement. Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, although Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, has spoken openly about performance-based clauses that could allow the 27-year-old driver to leave before that date.
Wolff added that Russell was aware of Mercedes’ position regarding Verstappen. Before these comments, Wolff spent most of Friday’s press conference at the Austrian Grand Prix dodging questions about his interest in Verstappen. When Wolff was asked if there was a deadline to sign Verstappen, he replied that their “conversations” were not at that stage.Firstly, there is no delay in George’s contractual situation because it has been quite clear for a long time what our deadlines were.
Toto Wolff
In a press conference on Thursday, Verstappen refused to give a direct answer about where he would race in 2026, fueling speculation about his future.I don’t need to have conversations in public. We have two drivers who have been in our program for a long time. Drivers that I am perfectly happy to have. Drivers who will do great in the future of the team. So it’s a bit of a different situation.
Toto Wolff
When Wolff was asked what Russell needed to do to get a contract extension, he added:I don’t think we need to talk about that. I don’t know, do you want me to repeat what I said last year? I don’t know. It’s the same answer.
Max Verstappen
Nothing. It has been part of our program for about 10 years. It has always met the expectations we have set. And it still does.
Toto Wolff
When asked if Russell and Verstappen could be a possible driver lineup for the future, Wolff added:
“Well, I can imagine any alignment. I’ve had Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton fighting for a world championship, so everything else after that is easy.”
