Wolff is no longer 'courting' Verstappen.

      "I am extremely pleased with the lineup we have."

      Toto Wolff has sought to dispel resurgent speculation regarding his intentions to entice Max Verstappen to Mercedes in 2026. As Red Bull's previous dominance begins to wane, some believe that Mercedes could be the perfect destination for the four-time world champion next year, considering the team's history of starting new regulatory periods with an engine advantage. In contrast, Red Bull is working on its own 2026 power unit in partnership with Ford.

      "Mercedes has already declared itself the favorite," Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko told Kleine Zeitung. "There won’t be much difference with the internal combustion engine - the major factor is the battery. It’s all about the software, and it's possible for someone to be significantly ahead in this area," he acknowledged.

      Mercedes team principal Wolff made a significant effort to recruit Verstappen last year but has now elevated his own protégé, Kimi Antonelli, as the seasoned George Russell continues to excel. "He has seamlessly assumed the role of the senior driver from Lewis (Hamilton)," Wolff remarked, also supporting 18-year-old Antonelli, who has consistently lagged behind Russell thus far. "It would be unusual if he already matched George’s pace, as that would imply George is not on Max (Verstappen)’s level, which I believe he is. That’s why it takes Kimi a bit of time."

      Consequently, Wolff refutes that he has engaged in "any discussions" with either Verstappen or his management team concerning 2026. "At the present moment, with George and Kimi, there’s no reason to question that setup for the future," he stated. There have even been rumors that Wolff has privately assured Russell not to be concerned about his upcoming contract negotiations. "We'll resume those discussions once we enter the European season," said the team principal. "There’s no urgency. We have this summer window. There’s no reason to challenge or doubt anything as it stands."

      Dutch commentator Olav Mol expresses his belief that Wolff is indeed not keen on upsetting the Russell-Antonelli pairing, even if Verstappen might theoretically be available. "I think Toto has been positively surprised by the current situation," he shared with Ziggo Sport. "Kimi Antonelli is performing above expectations, and George is doing well. So I believe he is quite content and thinks, 'I have no issues right now, I’m not changing that.'"

      Wolff agrees: "I always say I don’t flirt on the street when I’m happy in a relationship. I am extremely pleased with the lineup we have - I couldn't ask for anything better. Max is at Red Bull, and at Mercedes, we're continuing our journey."