Toto Wolff has reiterated his intent to keep George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli as Mercedes drivers for 2026, downplaying speculation of a Max Verstappen super-team forming at Brackley.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 ahead of Sprint Qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday, Mercedes F1 boss Wolff acknowledged that discussions had taken place with Verstappen’s camp, but called the idea of pairing Russell with the four-time World Champion “not realistic.”
Wolff explained: “This is all more in the, let's say, long-shot, far-fetched because I want to stay with Kimi and George as it stands. Everything else is not realistic, but obviously you have a Russell-Verstappen line-up, that's Prost-Senna I guess, no?”
Russell has publicly insisted he will remain with Mercedes, despite being out of contract after 2025. After a month of 'chasing' Verstappen, Wolff reinforced that belief, noting the long-term investment Mercedes has made in developing the Englishman from his junior years.
It's not about the money
“We try to pick up young drivers very early in their careers and we are financing all of it, so we're not asking any contribution from the parents or any sponsors,” said Wolff. “And for that, at a certain time, we have the managerial rights and it's very similar to what Red Bull has.”
When asked if financial terms were delaying a formal announcement of Mercedes' 2026 driver line-up, Wolff dismissed that notion: “I think it's more that you guys [media] make a lot of pressure, and because it's an interesting topic, it's completely normal.
“We have those negotiations and those discussions. Every driver wants to have a better car and more money. Completely normal behaviour and that's not going to be the crucial point," insisted the Mercedes F1 boss.
As the second half of the 2025 season begins at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, Wolff’s comments suggest Mercedes’ future is set with Russell and Antonelli, leaving Verstappen’s long-term destination still open for speculation.
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