It’s a new season of F1 and Mercedes enter the competition with a new driver line-up, although Toto Wolff failed to get Max Verstappen — and it doesn’t look like it will happen in 2026 either.
3-time race winner George Russell will now be racing alongside 2022 Italian and ADAC F4 champion Kimi Antonelli. Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff spoke on Thursday in Melbourne about the future.
Toto Wolff and his pursuit of Max Verstappen
The Austrian publicly chased Max Verstappen last year without success. This time around he seems to be giving up hope of signing the four-time World Champion. George Russell’s current contract runs out at the end of 2025.
“We need to concentrate on our driver line-up. I don’t flirt outside if I’m in a good relationship.
“At the moment that (a move for Verstappen) is not on any radar. I don’t plan to shift my concentration away from these guys. and (will) make sure that George has some visibility very soon, or has a contract very soon.”
The history of Max Verstappen, Toto Wolff and Mercedes
Max Verstappen joining Mercedes has been a topic of discussion since the 27-year-old joined the sport. These rumours only hardened over the 2024 season. Hamilton’s departure from the team to join Ferrari meant there was an open seat.
This alongside Red Bull’s decline in performance led many to believe that the Dutchman would be leaving the team. Mercedes seemed to be the “ top choice”.
Toto Wolff only added fuel to the fire with his public courting of the World Champion in the first half of the 2024 season.
While Verstappen may have a contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, it is understood that there is an exit clause he could activate under certain circumstances.
Russell’s confidence
While many claim that Mercedes would let go of George Russell in order to take in the Dutchman, the briton couldn’t disagree more. Having been apart of their driver’s academy since 2017 and having 3 race wins with Mercedes, he is certain the team would stick with him.
“We have had such a long-term relationship and so much trust between one another and we are focused on getting Mercedes back on top and trying to win races and championships.
“Performance speaks, so from my side there is no pressure. I have no doubts about myself and everything falls into place when the timing is right.
“We have bigger fish to fry right now, which is getting us back on top.”
2026: New season, new rules, new winner?
With the new technical regulations coming into play for the 2026 season. It is difficult to predict who will be at the top.
Red Bull’s potential is even more uncertain as they part ways with Honda after 6 seasons. They will be partnering up with Ford and set up their own engine facility to build their 2026 power unit.
Mercedes on the other hand have been the current industry standard when it comes to hybrid engines since they were first introduced in 2014. While the new regulations continue with the hybrid engine, the proportion of power to the hybrid aspect of the engine will be higher and there will be technological enhancements. Will Mercedes still be the standard?
For now though, both Wolff and Russell expect McLaren to start the season on a high. As the reigning Constructors’ Champions showed a very competitive performance during pre-season testing in Bahrain a couple of weeks ago.
“Testing is very difficult to interpret and we saw some pace that the car had but there was just a gap to the McLarens that everyone experienced,” says Wolff.
“Is that going to translate to Melbourne? I don’t know, but you have to keep both feet on the ground. It’s between four teams, clearly McLaren as the quickest, [Lando] Norris is very strong and Verstappen is never to be written off and I hope these two [Russell and Antonelli] can fight for podiums and victories.”
