Toto Wolff Seeks to Define Mercedes Driver Future for 2026 Before Summer Break
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has expressed his desire to resolve the situation of his drivers for the 2026 season before the end of the Formula 1 summer break. The uncertainty about George Russell’s continuity in the team has been a recurring theme. The contract of the two-time grand prize winner has not yet been extended beyond this year. Wolff confirmed his interest in signing four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who is currently under contract with Red Bull until 2028. It is speculated that Verstappen could activate an exit clause in his contract if he is below fourth place in the championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the break.
Wolff added that he doesn’t want to be “sadistic” by making a driver wait or not making decisions when they need to be made. “We are in June. Obviously, there are many discussions underway. I have been open and transparent. And at a certain stage in the coming months, up to the summer break, we need to know. Until the summer break, everything will be done,” he stated. When asked about when the decision will be made, Wolff replied: “Maybe in the middle” of the break. Red Bull boss Christian Horner has called the speculation about Mercedes and Verstappen “a lot of noise.” Verstappen, for his part, has not addressed questions about the possibility of joining Mercedes. After winning the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell stated that he has not spoken to any other team, as his main focus is to compete for Mercedes. Russell’s teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, joined this year, although the duration of his contract has not been made public.“You need to be respectful of the stakeholders in that whole process. The organization, the drivers, everyone. You need to understand the way forward,” Wolff commented.
Toto Wolff
