“Could be in the future”
Is there a mega change in Formula 1?
06/28/2025 – 12:31 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Mercedes actually has two young, strong drivers in the team with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. But the racing team is increasingly associated with Max Verstappen – the statements by team boss Toto Wolff are meaningful.
Is it becoming increasingly clear a spectacular change in Formula 1? Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has not excluded talks with world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) about a change to the coming season. “As the team boss of the best car brand in the world, it is clear that you are researching what a four-time world champion in the future is doing, and that could be in the future for a long time,” said Wolff in a variety of ways to the TV broadcaster Sky Sports in the run-up to the Grand Prix of Austria in Spielberg.
However, Wolff also explained with regard to the current driver duo from George Russell and Kimi Antonelli: “I would like to have the conversations behind closed doors. We have two drivers who have been in our program for a long time, drivers with whom I am very satisfied, drivers who will do great afford in the future of the team.”
Previously, the 27 -year -old Russell had already admitted: “It is normal for talks to be held like Verstappen.” Russell’s contract for the “silver arrows” expires at the end of the season. The only 18-year-old Antonelli came from his own youth program, is currently driving his first season and was able to draw attention to himself with strong performances.
The four -time world champion Verstappen has been highly valued by Wolff for a long time. The Dutchman’s contract runs until the end of 2028, but according to the performance clauses, performance clauses allow premature exit.
“I don’t think we have to talk about it,” said Verstappen Schmallippig when he was asked if he would also drive for Red Bull in 2026. “I don’t really think about it. I just go well and try to increase my performance, and then we focus on the next year.”
For Wolff, Mercedes himself is conceivable at Mercedes Russell and Verstappen, who have already clashed on the asphalt and offside. “I can imagine every pairing. I had (Nico) Rosberg and (Lewis) Hamilton who fought for the World Cup, so everything else is just afterwards,” said Wolff.
It has advantages and disadvantages, “when two drivers fight hard against each other. We saw examples where it worked and others where it didn’t work,” said the Austrian.