Toto Wolff Admits 'Mistake' in Max Verstappen Saga, Focuses on Russell-Antonelli Lineup

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has acknowledged a "mistake" in how the Max Verstappen situation played out over the F1 2025 summer, admitting the optics of their coinciding Sardinia vacation "doesn't look good." While stressing his philosophy of being "open and transparent" can sometimes backfire, Wolff is now firmly focused on moving forward with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, both of whom have signed new deals.

Why it matters:

• The prolonged speculation surrounding Verstappen's potential move to Mercedes created significant instability within the team and the broader F1 driver market. Wolff's admission reflects a desire to quell rumors and provide clarity on Mercedes' long-term driver strategy.
• Securing Russell and Antonelli signals Mercedes' commitment to developing young talent and building for the future, rather than chasing established champions.

The Details:

• Verstappen Rumors: Talks of Verstappen joining Mercedes intensified over the summer, fueled by comments from George Russell and a dip in Red Bull's performance. Verstappen eventually reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
• Sardinia Coincidence: A widely circulated photo of Verstappen on Wolff's yacht during their summer holidays off Sardinia sparked inaccurate rumors of a potential deal. Wolff admitted this "coincidence" was unhelpful and destabilizing.
• New Contracts: Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Mercedes confirmed new deals for both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
  • Russell's Deal: PlanetF1.com understands Russell's contract is a multi-year agreement, potentially structured as a one-plus-one optional deal.
  • Antonelli's Deal: Antonelli's new contract is reportedly set to cover the 2026 season.
• Wolff's Philosophy: Wolff maintains that his policy of being "open and transparent" is the best approach, even if it occasionally "bites" him, as was the case with the Verstappen saga.

Looking Ahead:

With the driver lineup confirmed, Mercedes aims to put the speculation behind them and focus on their future with Russell and Antonelli.

• Wolff emphasized that Russell and Antonelli are now the "full focus" and have "always been the aim" despite the summer's challenges.
• Despite Sky F1's Martin Brundle's hypothetical scenario of a Russell-Verstappen lineup in 2027, Wolff reiterated that "Kimi and George is what we want to do in the future and going forward. It's a good line-up."
• This clear commitment underscores Mercedes' strategy to build a competitive future with its current talent, rather than pursuing external high-profile drivers.