Wolff dismisses rumors about Verstappen joining Mercedes.

      Toto Wolff has perhaps provided the clearest indication yet that Mercedes may not be actively seeking to acquire Max Verstappen. While Verstappen remains linked to a potential departure from Red Bull, Mercedes has had a commanding start to 2026, largely thanks to the remarkable ascent of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Following the teenager's latest win in Monaco, which extended his lead over teammate George Russell to 68 points, Wolff expressed strong support for his current team members. "I can’t envision a more ideal driver combination than what we have right now," the Mercedes team principal told Bild.

      Wolff also encouraged observers to relax the scrutiny around Antonelli’s rapid rise. "Let’s just enjoy the uninhibited performances of one of the greatest talents I have ever encountered," he mentioned to Blick. The Austrian stated that the 19-year-old has quickly emerged as one of Formula 1’s prominent figures. "After Lewis, we now have a new global rock star at Mercedes," Wolff remarked. "He captivates everyone, regardless of age or gender."

      When asked if the increasing fame might pose challenges, Wolff chuckled, saying, "Yes, we can’t go out to dinner together anymore. Instantly, lines form with autograph seekers, making it impossible to find peace." Verstappen has been associated with Mercedes for several years, and reports persist that the Dutch driver might activate a Red Bull exit clause if he finds himself outside the top two in the championship during the summer break. However, with Antonelli thriving, Wolff seems eager to shift focus away from title discussions and driver market speculations.

      Antonelli’s father, Marco, is adopting a similarly cautious stance. "We’re approaching 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 also cautioned against drawing comparisons with Verstappen. "Max is a nice person with a likable character," Marco Antonelli stated, 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 significant achievements ahead of him. I hope he gets close to that one day, but at this stage, Max serves primarily as a role model for him."

      He shared that the two drivers have developed a strong friendship. "Max and Kimi communicate almost every weekend," Antonelli said. "He's a friend of ours - we both operate a Mercedes GT3 team as well," he added with a smile. "Of course, there are clear similarities, but it’s also evident that Max is currently on another level as a driver."