Mercedes are in talks to add four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen to their driver lineup for the 2026 season, team principle Toto Wolff has confirmed, but parties are far from reaching an agreement.
Verstappen, 27, made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2015 and was called up to Red Bull the following season, winning on debut with the team before going on to top the driver’s championship on four occasions. Ahead of Red Bull’s home race in Austria, though, reports have emerged that he could look for a new challenge next year.
The Dutchman is firmly the best of the rest so far this season, currently sitting third in the drivers’ championship behind the two McLarens, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Wolff played down the rumours, confirming that, thus far, talks were purely exploratory and that he was perfectly happy with George Russell’s performances.
“People discuss and explore, and in our organisation people are transparent. But it doesn't change a millimetre of my opinion of George,” he said of the links.
"In a normal business, the contract discussions are not being held as town halls, everything is normal, everything is going to plan."
With his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli expected to be handed a two-year contract extension following this season, Russell would likely face the chopping block should the Silver Arrows move for Verstappen. The 18-year-old Italian has struggled in his debut season, recording one podium finish and two DNFs as he trails Russell by 73 points.
Wolff continued: "George has always performed to the expectations we set. We haven't given him a car to win the world championship in the last three years and that's on us.
"The times the car is good, he has been winning races. You know he is going to extract what's in the car.
“[A deal with Verstappen] is so far away that it's not realistic at that stage."
Russell, who led from lights to flag last time out in Montreal, added that he was unconcerned by the reports.
"It's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing," he shrugged. "But from my side, if I'm performing as I'm doing, what have I got to be concerned about?
"Toto has made it clear to me that how I'm performing is as good as anybody.
"There is only one driver that you can debate in terms of performance. These are his words and not my words, and that is why I have no concern about my future.
"But there are two seats to every team and I guess he needs to think who are those two drivers."
Verstappen also rubbished the reports, saying: "I don't think we need to talk about that. It's not really on my mind.”
