Wolff leaves the door open for Verstappen's future.

      Toto Wolff has stated that Mercedes is solidly planning to keep George Russell alongside championship leader Kimi Antonelli in 2027, while still not dismissing the idea of pairing the young Italian with Max Verstappen in the future. Antonelli has surpassed Mercedes’ expectations by leading the championship at just 19 years old. "I believe the boy is simply very adept at processing and executing feedback," Wolff told Sky Deutschland in Hungary.

      Currently, Russell is in P3 in the championship and has faced some recent technical issues, but Wolff maintains that Mercedes’ current lineup will remain intact for next season. Nonetheless, the Austrian acknowledged the possibility of eventually signing Verstappen. "We’re not averse to having Max and Kimi together in the team at some point," Wolff mentioned. This comment keeps Verstappen firmly on Mercedes’ radar for the long term, despite the Dutchman recently adopting a more composed perspective regarding his future at Red Bull.

      Wolff also discussed Russell’s more challenging adaptation to the 2026 regulations, particularly concerning the intricate interplay between driving style and battery use. "Some drivers express that they enjoy it," he remarked. "Others claim you need to learn how to manage it." "And some still say, ‘We want traditional racing. Full throttle to the corner, and whoever brakes last wins.’" Wolff believes the Hungaroring aligns better with the desired nature of the regulations compared to circuits like Spa and Silverstone. "Here, you’re always flat out on the straights, braking as late as possible, and navigating the corners as quickly as you can. That’s precisely how racing has always been." "But a new and intriguing aspect is how you utilize the battery."