Wolff dampens rumors regarding Verstappen and Mercedes.

      Toto Wolff has possibly indicated that Mercedes might not be actively seeking Max Verstappen anymore. While Verstappen remains associated with a potential departure from Red Bull, Mercedes has made a strong start to 2026, largely due to the impressive performance of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Following the teenager's recent win in Monaco, which increased his lead over teammate George Russell to 68 points, Wolff expressed his support for the current driver lineup. "I can’t envision a better driver combination than we have right now," he shared with Bild.

      Wolff also encouraged people to relieve the pressure surrounding Antonelli’s rapid ascent. "Let’s simply appreciate the carefree performances of one of the greatest talents I have ever witnessed," he mentioned to Blick. The Austrian noted that the 19-year-old is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in Formula 1. "After Lewis, we now have a new global rock star at Mercedes," remarked Wolff. "He excites fans of all ages, regardless of gender."

      When questioned about the potential challenges of Antonelli's rising fame, Wolff laughed, "Yes, we can’t dine out together anymore. Lines of autograph seekers form immediately, and then there's no peace."

      Verstappen has been rumored to be linked with Mercedes for several years, and reports suggest the Dutch driver could activate a Red Bull exit clause if he is not among the top two in the championship during the summer break. However, with Antonelli thriving, Wolff seems eager to divert focus from both championship discussions and driver market rumors.

      Antonelli’s father, Marco, is also taking a careful approach. "We’re taking it race by race," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "We’ll concentrate on the World Championship with three Grands Prix remaining, not before." He cautioned against making comparisons with Verstappen. "Max is a nice guy with a friendly demeanor," said Marco Antonelli, according to the Dutch publication Formule 1. "However, it's still premature to compare Kimi with Max. Max is already a four-time world champion, while Kimi has a long journey ahead to reach what Max has achieved. I hope he can get close to that someday, but at this stage of his career, Max serves as a primary example for him."

      He disclosed that the two drivers have developed a close friendship. "Max and Kimi communicate almost every weekend," said Antonelli. "He is a friend of ours – we both run a Mercedes GT3 team as well," he smiled. "There is a clear similarity, but it's evident that Max is still on a different level as a driver at this time."