Wolff Dismisses Verstappen Rumors After Mercedes Confirms 2026 Lineup

Toto Wolff has emphasized transparency as the 'best path' when asked about the possibility of signing Max Verstappen for the future, particularly after Mercedes announced its 2026 driver lineup of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Despite ongoing speculation, Wolff remains focused on his current drivers and maintaining team stability.

Why it matters:

Mercedes' driver strategy is under intense scrutiny as teams prepare for the new 2026 regulations. The decision to commit to Russell and Antonelli, while fending off persistent rumors about Verstappen, highlights Mercedes' long-term vision and their confidence in nurturing young talent. This also impacts the wider driver market, potentially closing a major door for Verstappen outside of Red Bull.

The Details:

• Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Mercedes officially confirmed that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will form their F1 driver lineup for the 2026 season.
• Rumors linking Max Verstappen to Mercedes have been prevalent throughout the current campaign, despite Verstappen's own confirmations of staying with Red Bull Racing.
• Wolff addressed the ongoing speculation, stating to GPblog: "Being open and transparent is the best path forward." He stressed his commitment to the chosen drivers: "I stand by the driver choices, but George and Kimi, like I said, this is the full focus."
• Contract Lengths: GPblog has learned that Russell holds a multi-year deal, while Antonelli's contract is set to expire at the end of 2026. This suggests a potential opening for 2027, although Wolff did not elaborate on specific clauses.
  • Speaking to Sky Sports, Wolff noted the importance of stability, stating, "a rolling a one-year contract is never good for anyone."
• When asked about the hypothetical pairing of Russell and Verstappen for 2027 by British broadcasters, Wolff concluded: "Certainly good entertainment for everyone. But we don’t want to create any rumours here. Kimi and George is what we want to do in the future and going forward, and it’s a good line-up."

What's next:

Mercedes' focus will now shift entirely to developing their 2026 car and integrating Antonelli into their long-term plans. While the door for Verstappen at Mercedes appears closed for 2026, the specific clauses in Antonelli's contract could reignite speculation for 2027 if performance or market conditions change. For now, the team is committed to its chosen path, aiming for stability and success with Russell and Antonelli.