Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed the possibility of signing four-time world champion Max Verstappen and shed light on the driver lineup for the 2026 season. This follows George Russell’s hint that his contract extension was being delayed due to ongoing talks between Mercedes and Verstappen.
As track action picks up temperature in Austria’s Red Bull Ring, there has been much talk about the future of Russell and Verstappen at Mercedes. It all began with the topic surrounding the delay in signing Russell’s contract extension, despite him meeting all expectations.
The Briton broke the news about discussions taking place between Mercedes and Verstappen. Soon after, Wolff hinted that talks were indeed taking place with Verstappen but did not clarify who would be driving in 2026.
Related: Mercedes to Race Both F1 Cars With Touching Tribute to Departed Team Member
Now, the Mercedes team boss has revealed ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix qualifying session that the probability of Verstappen driving for Mercedes next year is very low, and that Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will form the driver lineup for 2026. He told Sky Sports F1:
“I think when you look at the situation we have with Kimi [Antonelli] and George, we have a perfect line-up that we very much enjoy, that we believe is the future.
“But at the same time, there is a four-time World Champion that needs to decide what he’s going to do in the future, and that is just, as a team principal, you need to see where that is going.
“But I think I give it a very little probability that this is going to happen.”
When asked if the little probability was for 2026 or the long-term future, he said:
“I don’t know what’s going to be in three or five years.
“That’s why you need to look at what should be considered on the long term.”
Wolff explained that he was considering Verstappen for the long-term future and stressed that the driver lineup will remain unchanged for the next season. He said:
“Nothing needs, in a way, to come towards favourable for us, because with George and Kimi is what we want to be and what we want to continue.
“But, in order to plan right for the long term of the future, you’ve got to understand what other people do.”
Related: Red Bull Advisor Hits Back at George Russell Over Verstappen–Mercedes Talk
The post Mercedes Team Boss Reveals Probability of Signing Max Verstappen for 2026 appeared first on Newsweek.
