F1 Analyst: Toto Wolff Highly Rates Leclerc, But Avoids Pursuing Him

F1 analyst Peter Windsor suggests Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff highly rates Charles Leclerc but strategically avoids pursuing him. This comes as Mercedes navigates its future driver lineup, reportedly prioritizing team dynamics over a pairing of two absolute top-tier drivers.\n\n### Why it matters:\nThis analysis offers insight into Mercedes' intricate driver market strategy, indicating a preference for maintaining team harmony and a clear hierarchy following past experiences, which could shape its future competitiveness.\n\n### The details:\n* Windsor's Reasoning: Windsor believes Wolff is hesitant to pair Leclerc with George Russell, drawing lessons from the intense Lewis Hamilton-Russell dynamic. He suggests Wolff might prefer a "number two" driver, citing examples like Sergio Perez or Kimi Antonelli, to foster a more stable team environment. Despite this, Windsor emphasized Wolff "must rate Leclerc incredibly highly."\n* Mercedes' Driver Situation: Max Verstappen recently dispelled rumors by confirming his commitment to Red Bull for 2026. Meanwhile, both George Russell and highly-touted junior Kimi Antonelli have contracts expiring at the end of the season, with Mercedes yet to officially announce their renewals. Wolff expects a straightforward, low-key announcement when deals are finalized.\n* Croft's Concern: Sky F1 commentator David Croft expressed bewilderment regarding Mercedes' delay in announcing Antonelli's contract extension. Croft, who considers Antonelli an "exceptional talent," argues that public backing could significantly alleviate pressure on the young driver amid recent performance scrutiny.\n\n### What's next:\nMercedes is anticipated to confirm its driver lineup for 2026, with Russell and Antonelli widely expected to fill the seats. The team's strategic choices will reveal its long-term vision for internal stability and on-track performance.