Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff did not deny at a press conference on Friday that he is in talks with Max Verstappen. George Russell’s contract expires at the end of this year, and according to the British driver, Mercedes sees an opportunity to sign Verstappen.
“I like what George says,” Wolff said on Friday in Spielberg, Austria, when asked if he is in talks with Verstappen for a race seat for next year.
“He is allowed to say what he wants, and as a team, we are always transparent with the drivers. At the moment, we are investigating what is possible in the future. But we are still very happy with our current line-up.”
Russell said after the Canadian Grand Prix that his negotiations with Mercedes had been delayed because his team is interested in Verstappen. The Brit understood his team’s attitude.
Wolff chose his words carefully. The team boss also did so when he was reminded that he said last year after the arrival of Kimi Antonelli that he would no longer flirt with Verstappen. “Explain to me what flirting is,” he said with a laugh. “No, nothing has changed since then. You can flirt with someone, but you can also have conversations with someone.”
Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull expires at the end of 2028, but Red Bull team boss Christian Horner already said last year that he will not hold Verstappen to his contract if he actually wants to leave.
‘George must be at the top of our list’
According to Wolff, it is not strange at all that Mercedes has not yet signed a driver for next year at the beginning of the summer. “In business, you only look at that when a contract is almost over. But in Formula 1, everyone starts talking about it at the beginning of the summer or even earlier.”
When asked if Russell is his top candidate, Wolff replied: “He must be at the top of our list. He has won races and always delivered when he had to. He hasn’t had a car to compete for the championship, but that’s up to us.”
And isn’t Verstappen also a name high on that list? “I always conduct these conversations behind closed doors, not in public. I repeat myself, but we are very happy with our current driver line-up.”
Wolff was also asked if Russell and Verstappen could form a team together. “Can I handle that? I certainly can. I have had Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg under my wing. After that driver duo, I can handle anything.”