Wolff assures Russell’s future at Mercedes after confirming Verstappen

Wolff Confirms Talks with Verstappen and Assures Russell’s Future at Mercedes

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff revealed that he held conversations with Max Verstappen about a possible joining of the team. However, he is now satisfied with securing George Russell’s continuity. Verstappen confirmed his stay at Red Bull, ending speculation about a possible move to Mercedes for the 2026 season. Wolff did not hide Mercedes’ interest in signing the four-time world champion, which raised doubts about Russell’s future, whose contract ends at the end of this season.

I’ve always said I’m happy with my team, with Russell and Kimi Antonelli, but suddenly Max’s future became uncertain, so we also talked to him.

Toto Wolff

Wolff admitted that the possible availability of Verstappen, 27, forced him to explore the situation. “I have always been very clear with George: 90% of the time he would stay with us, but I needed to talk to Verstappen as well. Now the situation is clear and everything can go back to normal.”

The confirmation of Verstappen’s continued presence at Red Bull came 23 days after Christian Horner found out he had been dismissed as team principal and CEO of the Red Bull team. Russell achieved his sixth podium of the season at Hungaroring and has stood out with an inconsistent-performing Mercedes car. Furthermore, he has taken on the leadership of the team alongside the 18-year-old Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli, following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari. Hamilton, who won six of his seven world championships with Wolff at Mercedes, had another difficult weekend with the Scuderia and qualified himself as “useless” after qualifying. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is convinced that Hamilton will recover from his difficulties in his first season with the Cavallino Rampante team.

It’s a characteristic of the greats: if they know they haven’t lived up to expectations, they don’t blame the team, but look within themselves. Once this moment passes, they will return with the same motivation as always.

Toto Wolff

Formula 1 will implement new regulations for next season, with significant changes to the power units and aerodynamic rules that will end the ground effect era, in which Mercedes has struggled to compete with Red Bull and, this season, with McLaren. Wolff is optimistic about his team’s improvement next season and admitted that he would love to face Hamilton and Ferrari in a battle for the title.

Seeing Ferrari against Mercedes would be fantastic. I have no doubt that this duel will happen, next year or in the future. We will experience it and it will be fantastic.

Toto Wolff