‘Astonished’ Wolff slams fresh Verstappen-to-Mercedes speculation

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made it crystal clear – and not for the first time – that talk of Max Verstappen joining the Brackley squad is, in his words, “silly.”

The four-time world champion’s early-season struggles with Red Bull have reignited whispers linking him to Mercedes, but Wolff is having none of it.

Speaking to Austrian media oe24, Wolff set the record straight: “The astonishing thing is that these silly rumours are already surfacing in March. It's silly enough that you normally have to discuss these things in July. I don't know who brought this up again.”

The Mercedes boss is referring to previous chatter during the 2025 season, when Verstappen’s contract reportedly contained a performance clause and his mid-season dip sparked speculation.

Once that clause expired in July, and Mercedes confirmed extensions with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, the rumour mill quieted down – until now.

Russell and Antonelli secure for the long haul

Mercedes has hit the ground running in 2026, with Russell and Antonelli each taking a win in the season’s opening two rounds in Australia and China, giving the team a solid lead over its rivals.

Despite the buzz around Verstappen, Wolff emphasized that his driver lineup is locked in.

“We have two drivers with whom we have long-term, multi-year contracts,” Wolff said.

“I couldn't be happier with either of them. Both are delivering top performances, so there's absolutely no reason to even consider a lineup change, or other drivers. I say this with the utmost respect for Max.”

In short, anyone hoping for a Verstappen-Mercedes pairing as early as next season will have to keep waiting. Wolff’s message is clear: the Brackley team is stable, performing, and in no mood to rock the boat.

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Michael Delaney